EXCLUSIVE(SAHARA REPORTERS): Kaduna Mob Attacks Soldier Mistaken for Bandit, Survives Critical Injury

An exclusive report from SaharaReporters reveals that a Nigerian soldier, identified as Muhammad Abdulrauf, also known by his nickname “Didan Tero,” is currently fighting for his life. He was brutally assaulted by a crowd in Mai Gero community, Kaduna State, after being wrongly identified as a bandit. Abdulrauf, a member of the Nigerian Army’s 21NA intake and a familiar face within the Jaji military cantonment as a “Barrack Boy,” was initially widely reported to have died following the incident. Numerous social media posts and local news outlets had spread claims of his demise.

However, a source close to the situation informed SaharaReporters that Abdulrauf survived the violent encounter. He is presently undergoing medical treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital located in Kaduna. SaharaReporters also obtained distressing video footage depicting the soldier being beaten by a group of people, alongside more recent clips from Thursday morning showing him gravely injured on a hospital bed.

According to the same source, the community residents allegedly launched the attack because they believed Abdulrauf was a member of a notorious bandit syndicate known for terrorising the local area. The source stated, "The residents thought he was a bandit because of the way he dressed. So they said he was among the people who recently kidnapped people in the community."

The informant further explained that the prevailing atmosphere of fear and tension in the region likely fueled 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.

Abdulrauf is reportedly attached to military operations in Maiduguri, Borno State, and was on approved leave at the time of the unfortunate incident. "He is serving in the North-East in Maiduguri. He is on leave. But we don’t really know what took him to Kaduna State," the source disclosed.

The source also suggested that the soldier’s attire might have raised suspicions among the locals. "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 claimed.

Addressing the widespread but false reports of the soldier’s death, the source clarified, "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 soldier was later rushed to the 44 Army Hospital in Kaduna State and he’s still alive."