Abubakar Mohammed El-Jummah, a professor at the Nigerian Army University, Biu, in Borno State, has died while in captivity nearly a year after he was abducted by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The academic was kidnapped on March 2, 2025, along the Damaturu–Biu road, a corridor that has witnessed repeated security incidents in recent years.
Since his abduction, there had been limited public information regarding his condition.
Family members confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
According to the statement, he passed away in the early hours of the day at approximately 2:45 a.m. The family indicated that he had been ill, reportedly following prolonged hardship during his time in captivity.
He has been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
A Salat al-Ghaib (funeral prayer in absentia) is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at the Ngomari Old Airport Juma’at Mosque in Maiduguri, located behind his residence. The prayer is expected to hold at 2:00 p.m.
Professor El-Jummah was described by colleagues and family members as a dedicated scholar and mentor whose work in academia and community development left a lasting impression on students and peers.
His death has been widely regarded as a painful loss to his immediate family, the Nigerian Army University community, and the broader academic circle in Borno State.
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