Professor Abubakar Mohammed El-Jummah, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Borno State, has died in the hands of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.
Professor El-Jummah was abducted along Damaturu-Buni Yadi-Biu road while he was on his way from Biu to Maiduguri on March 3, 2025.
Already, the funeral prayer was conducted in absentia at the deceased’s family house around 2pm, on Thursday after they were contacted by the terrorists.
“They said he felt sick and died after spending almost a year in captivity. We were devastated by the news, but we performed the funeral prayer in absentia,” he said.
The funeral prayer was observed around 2:00 p.m. at the Ngomari Old Airport Juma’at Mosque, near his residence, with hundreds of sympathisers from the academia and the community in attendance.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the attackers, described as light-skinned foreigners, specifically targeted Professor el-Jumma, suggesting the abduction was premeditated. The perpetrators were reportedly in possession of his photograph before carrying out the attack, confirming that the operation was deliberate and planned.
Authorities have confirmed that no ransom demands were made and attempts to negotiate his release were unsuccessful. ISWAP later informed the family of Professor el-Jumma’s death and that his burial had been carried out within their enclave.
The incident demonstrates ISWAP’s growing capability to exploit local vulnerabilities with the support of spies and sympathizers.
The group’s targeting of high-profile individuals, including academics and community leaders, reflects a shift towards calculated kidnappings designed to spread fear and disrupt governance and education in the North East.
No official statement has yet been issued by Nigerian Army University Biu authorities regarding the incident.
Written with additional reports from Zagazola Makama
