In a moving testimony, John Arum Azi, who was kidnapped on 11 April 2026 on his way to Kaduna, has attributed his release to prayers and the financial support of all those who contributed to pay for his ransom.
Speaking at the Christian Reformed Church, Nigeria (CRCN, LCC), Jos, central Nigeria, on 10 May, the graduate of the University of Jos disclosed that he denied his Christian faith, claiming he is pagan, but when the kidnappers beat him mercilessly, he had to recant and rely on prayers.
Given his Catholic background, John Azi kept repeating a prayer he believed saved his life from his captors.
“So that’s when they start calling me pastor. Till I left them. They start calling me pastor. Pastor, till I left them. And the prayer I always pray there is. I’m a member of the Catholic Church, St. Peter’s. So I always pray. There’s a prayer I normally do:
“Oh, our Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need of your mercy,” he disclosed.
He also confessed that his initial denial of being a Christian was out of fear, but he later professed his faith and shouted ‘Jesus’ during a beating, after which the kidnappers started calling him ‘pastor.’
The victim receiving treatment following his release. Credit: Matthewtegha BLOG.
How Azi fell into the den of kidnappers
He disclosed that he was traveling to Kaduna for work and had left early for Zaria, adding that they called him on the phone, asking him to come and work for them.
“They sent transport to me,” Azi clarified and noted that he was asked to pick another bike at a different park.
He explained that although this made him suspicious, he still went along, only to see an armed man “with guns that I’ve never seen in my life.”
The victim narrated that they collected his phone, searched his bag, removed all his tools and took him from Kaduna to Zamfara.
“They collected my phone. They searched my back. I was holding back. My tools were inside. So they removed everything. So they asked me to change my clothes. They gave me their own clothes there with a mask. So I put on a mask and they were asking me some questions. They were asking me, do I have connections in Jos…the big men. I was telling them, no, I’m from proper ground,” he said
Freed at last, John smiles again.
Payment of ransom and release
According to him, his captors “were demanding 30 million” but later reduced it to 6 million naira, and finally asked for an additional 4 million naira.
The 28-year-old disclosed that his family raised 6 million initially, but kidnappers later demanded an additional 4 million.
He detailed that after four days and further negotiations, his family raised the ransom amount with the support of others, and he was released and left Zamfara on a Tuesday night.
Azi expressed gratitude to God and the Church for their support and deliverance throughout his captivity.
In his testimony, he acknowledged the God who answers by fire, underscoring his release as a divine intervention.
Editor’s Note: Featured photo is courtesy of Moses C Sunday.
