A professor of the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB), Borno State, Abubakar Mohammed El-Jummah, has died while in captivity nearly one year after he was abducted by insurgents along the Damaturu–Biu highway.
The late academic was reportedly kidnapped on March 2, 2025, while travelling along the road, a corridor long associated with insurgent attacks in Nigeria’s North-East.
Family members confirmed his death in a statement released on February 11, 2026, describing the loss as deeply painful and tragic. According to the family, Prof. El-Jummah died in the early hours of Wednesday at about 2:45 a.m. after a brief illness believed to have been worsened by the harsh conditions he endured during captivity.
They stated that he has since been buried in accordance with Islamic rites, while a Salat al-Ghaib, a funeral prayer in absentia, was scheduled to be held later in Maiduguri for friends, colleagues, and well-wishers to offer prayers.
The death of the university don has sparked renewed concern about the safety of academics and commuters travelling within conflict-prone areas. Education stakeholders say incidents of insecurity continue to disrupt academic work and threaten the wellbeing of educators contributing to national development.
Observers note that the loss represents not only a personal tragedy for the family and university community but also a setback to higher education, as experienced scholars play critical roles in research, mentorship, and institutional growth.
