Nigerian Professor Dies in Boko Haram Captivity

The academic community is in mourning following the tragic death of Abubakar Mohammed El-Jummah, a lecturer at the Nigerian Army University Biu in Borno State, who passed away while being held captive by Boko Haram insurgents. His death marks a heartbreaking conclusion to a nearly year-long ordeal, highlighting the persistent danger posed by extremist groups in Nigeria’s North-East region. The professor was abducted on March 2, 2025, while traveling along the notoriously dangerous Damaturu–Biu highway, a route frequently plagued by attacks and kidnappings.

For 346 days, the academic remained in the clutches of the terrorist group, causing profound anxiety among his family, colleagues, and the wider public who hoped for his safe return. Despite various efforts to secure his freedom, those attempts ultimately did not succeed. His family officially confirmed his death on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, stating that he passed away around 2:45 a.m. after falling ill.

According to family members, the illness was directly linked to the brutal treatment and extreme suffering he endured during his long time in captivity. The harsh conditions in the terrorist camp proved too much for him to survive. The family also disclosed that, in accordance with Islamic rites, the professor was buried shortly after his passing.

To honor his memory, the family announced that a funeral prayer in absentia would take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the Ngomari Old Airport Juma’at Mosque in Maiduguri, situated behind his residence. Friends, colleagues, and sympathizers were invited to join in these prayers for the late academic.

His death comes amid a period of renewed violence and intense security challenges in Borno State. Only recently, Boko Haram fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a devastating attack on a military base in Jakana, located in the Kaga Local Government Area.

Reports indicate that the attackers stormed the area in large numbers, engaging in a heavy gunfight and later using explosives on the military facility. The assault resulted in a significant loss of life, with several soldiers confirmed killed, while others fled into nearby bushes during the attack.

Following the assault, the bodies of the fallen soldiers were moved to the 7 Division Military Hospital in Maiduguri. During the raid, Boko Haram insurgents burnt military equipment, including armored vehicles, and took away a significant amount of weapons from the base.

The tragic passing of Professor El-Jummah underscores the precarious security situation for professionals and civilians in the region. The academic community at the Nigerian Army University Biu has expressed profound grief, mourning the loss of a colleague whose life was cut short by mindless violence.

The death of Professor El-Jummah serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the North-East and the urgent need for a more effective strategy to protect citizens and secure the nation’s highways from extremist activity.