Torture Video Of UNIJOS Student Sparks Outrage As HURIWA Demands War On Kidnappers

A disturbing video allegedly showing a University of Jos student being tortured by kidnappers has triggered fresh outrage across Nigeria, with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) declaring that the country is being “held hostage” by criminal gangs and demanding urgent nationwide action.

 

In a statement issued on Friday by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the reported abduction of John Arum Azi along the Kaduna-Jos highway, describing the circulation of the victim’s torture video as evidence of worsening insecurity and the growing boldness of armed bandits.

 

The rights group said the incident reflects a dangerous breakdown of law and order, warning that kidnappers now operate with little fear of consequences while citizens remain exposed on highways and in rural communities.

 

HURIWA linked the case to the recent abduction of students travelling in Benue State to sit for JAMB examinations, saying young Nigerians are increasingly becoming targets simply for seeking education.

 

The association also criticised what it described as weak and indecisive leadership in tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, accusing government authorities of failing to provide the forceful response needed to dismantle criminal networks.

 

It further faulted the National Assembly for not enacting urgent and comprehensive laws to treat kidnapping as a national emergency, noting that delayed prosecutions and weak deterrence have emboldened criminals.

 

Raising concerns over the financial structure of kidnapping operations, HURIWA questioned why security and anti-graft agencies have not aggressively traced ransom payments and disrupted illicit cash channels sustaining the crime.

 

According to the group, kidnapping has evolved into an organised business model that will continue to thrive unless its financial backbone is destroyed.

 

To address the crisis, HURIWA called for the establishment of special anti-kidnapping courts with fast-track procedures, stricter surveillance of ransom payments, a national joint security task force, and immediate reinforcement of security on major highways and flashpoints.

 

The organisation also urged authorities to decentralise national examinations to reduce risky long-distance travel by students, deploy advanced surveillance tools such as biometric tracking and facial recognition, and create support systems for victims and their families.

 

HURIWA stressed that the torture of a student and the repeated targeting of examination candidates should serve as a national wake-up call, insisting that protection of lives remains the foremost duty of government.