Terrorists abduct, kill Army Varsity professor on Maiduguri-Damboa highway

Suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly killed Professor Abubakar Mohammed el-Jumma of the Nigerian Army University Biu after abducting him along the Maiduguri–Damboa highway.

Sources said the incident occurred on March 25, 2025, when the attackers intercepted travelers on the route and singled out the professor in what appeared to be a premeditated operation.

The assailants were said to have had his photograph prior to the attack, indicating that he was specifically targeted.

According to the sources, no ransom demands were made, and efforts to secure his release were unsuccessful. The insurgents later informed the family that he had been killed and buried within their territory.

Security observers say the incident highlights ISWAP’s continued ability to exploit local networks and carry out targeted operations, allegedly with the help of informants. The group’s focus on prominent individuals, including academics and community leaders, is seen as an attempt to instill fear and disrupt governance and education in the North East.

As of the time of filing this report, the management of the Nigerian Army University Biu had not issued an official statement on the incident.