Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents on Sunday ambushed travelers along the Damaturu-Biu highway near Kamuya village, abducting Professor Abubakar Eljuma of the Nigerian Army University Biu and several others.
Professor Eljuma, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at NAUB, is reportedly one of the key contenders for the soon-to-be-vacant Vice-Chancellor position at the institution.
The attack occurred near Kamuya, a community located just 10 kilometers from Buratai, the hometown of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Tukur Buratai (Rtd).
The area has long been plagued by insecurity, with repeated incidents of kidnappings, roadside bombings, and killings over the past decade.
A security source confirmed the details of the attack, stating:
“On 2/3/2025, suspected ISWAP/BOKO HARAM elements abducted an unspecified number of travellers from 2 x Golf cars and a Borno Express bus along Damaturu-Biu road.”
The source further revealed that all female passengers were released, while the male passengers, including Professor Eljuma, remained in captivity.
“Reports further indicate that all female passengers were freed except the male. It was also revealed that a potential candidate for the position of VC NAUB, Professor Abubakar Eljuma, is among the victims.”
Appealing for divine intervention, the source added, “We are requesting your prayers in this holy month of Ramadan for their quick release.”
A staff member of NAUB, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the incident to Vanguard on Monday, stating that the university management had convened an emergency meeting regarding the abduction.
