Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Nigerian soldier, Muhammad Abdulrauf, popularly known as “Didan Tero,” is receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna after he was brutally attacked by a mob in the Mai Gero community on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Residents mistook him for a member of a notorious bandit gang that has been terrorising the area.
According to multiple reports, Abdulrauf, who is attached to military operations in Maiduguri, Borno State, was on leave at the time of the attack. Sources said residents descended on him after mistaking him for a bandit because of his appearance. “The residents thought he was a bandit because of the way he dressed. They believed he was among those responsible for recent kidnappings in the community,” a source told Sahara Reporters.
The soldier, a member of the Nigerian Army’s 21NA intake and popularly known within the Jaji military community as a “Barrack Boy,” was initially reported dead following the incident, with several social media posts and local reports claiming he had been killed. However, a source familiar with the matter debunked the death reports, confirming that Abdulrauf survived the attack and is currently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna. Videos from the incident showed the soldier being beaten by a crowd, while another video recorded on Thursday morning showed him lying on a hospital bed in critical condition.
The source explained that fear and tension in the area may have contributed to the mob action. “If you can remember, there is a popular bandit in Kaduna terrorising the area. His name is Dogo. The bandit was captured by us last year and the news went viral. But this new tragic incident happened on Wednesday,” the source added.
The soldier’s appearance reportedly triggered suspicion among residents. “The soldier dressed improperly. He wore trousers that looked like the type Boko Haram members wear. That is why when the civilians saw him, they thought he was a bandit and this was why they attempted to kill him,” the source said. The source dismissed widespread reports that the soldier had died, stating: “A lot of people think he is dead. Even local news platforms reported he is dead and a lot of posts on social media said the same thing. But I can confirm to you that he is alive.”
The attack has once again highlighted the growing tension between security forces and civilians in parts of Kaduna State, where residents have become increasingly suspicious due to repeated cases of banditry and kidnapping. The Nigerian Army has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
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