Terrorists kidnap university professor contesting for Vice-Chancellor position in Borno
Suspected members of the terrorist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) on Sunday abducted several individuals, including a prominent academic figure along the Damaturu-Biu Road in Borno State.
The kidnap involved Professor Abubakar Eljuma, who serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB).
Reports indicate that the NAUB professor was traveling back from Maiduguri after visiting his family when he was kidnapped near Kamuya village, which is approximately 10 kilometers from Buratai, the hometown of former Chief of Army Staff Yusufu Tukur Buratai.
The kidnap also targeted other travelers; it was reported that two Golf cars and a Borno Express bus were hijacked during this incident.
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Witnesses and sources close to NAUB have confirmed that all female passengers were released following the kidnap, while male passengers, including Professor Eljuma, remain in captivity.
This kidnap incident has raised concern within the NAUB community and prompted an emergency meeting among university officials to address the situation.
Professor Eljuma was noted to be a contender for the Vice-Chancellor position at NAUB, which adds another layer of complexity to his abduction.
The area along the Damaturu-Biu Road has been notorious for violence and insecurity over the past decade. Frequent incidents of kidnappings, bombings, and killings have instilled fear among local residents and travelers alike. Just five months prior to this event, another academic staff member from NAUB was killed on this same route6. The ongoing threat posed by Boko Haram and ISWAP continues to disrupt daily life in northeastern Nigeria.
In light of these events, calls for prayers have been made within the community for the safe return of those abducted during this incident. The timing coincides with Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims, which has further amplified these requests for divine intervention in securing their release.
This abduction highlights the persistent security challenges faced by Nigeria and underscores the risks encountered by individuals in positions of authority or influence within vulnerable regions.
