The Nigerian Defence Academy has officially confirmed the disappearance of Cadet Stephen Kubuma Gani. However, the institution maintains it followed proper protocols. This development comes after seven months of family anguish and public silence.
The confirmation emerged on Friday, December 13, 2025. Major Reuben Kovangiya, NDA’s Public Relations Officer, issued the statement. Meanwhile, the family continues seeking answers about their son’s whereabouts.
Last Contact: Easter Holiday Return Becomes Final Goodbye
Cadet Stephen Kubuma Gani, a 21-year-old from Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, was admitted into the Academy in 2024. Subsequently, he joined the 76 Regular Course. He was attached to the Burma Battalion, with registration number NDA/15131, and was a Naval cadet studying Geography.
The cadet’s family last heard from him on April 27, 2025. He called using his roommate’s phone to notify them that he had returned safely to the Academy after travelling from Jos, where he had spent the Easter holiday with his family. Afterward, all communication ceased.
“He told us he had arrived safely. That was the last time we ever heard his voice,” his father, Mr Gani Agby, wrote in a formal enquiry submitted to the NDA Panel of Investigation on November 5, 2025. Moreover, subsequent calls went unanswered. His phone stopped connecting entirely.
The Morning He Vanished: Conflicting Accounts Emerge
The family’s ordeal began on 29 April 2025, when they received a call from Lt. Makka, Deputy Battalion Commander of Burma Battalion, informing them that their son could not be found. Furthermore, the family received troubling details.
According to accounts attributed to the cadet’s roommate, Cdt. Bamaiyi H. Maidoki, around 3:00 a.m., Gani woke him up, asked him to prepare for morning routines, and then stepped out to “ease himself”, after which he vanished without a trace.
The family was also contacted informally by a senior cadet, Cdt. N. O. Abdul, who wrote to them via WhatsApp, stating that Gani had not been seen in the academy. Notably, he advised the mother not to tell anyone. This deepened the family’s fears significantly.
The family raised concerns about conflicting narratives. Initially, officials stated Gani participated in bed checks. However, later information suggested his roommates might be involved. In their submission to the NDA investigative panel, Gani’s father alleged that his son was the only Christian in a room of four cadets.
NDA’s Official Response: Procedures Followed, Investigation Ongoing
Major Kovangiya addressed the controversy directly on Friday. He stated that Cadet SK Gani “was observed to have absented himself from the Academy with effect from 28 April 2025 without official permission”.
“In accordance with established procedures and extant regulations guiding cadets administration in NDA, his parents were formally notified 3 days after his absence,” the statement explained. Additionally, administrative procedures were followed.
Seven days after the occurrence, the cadet was “struck off strength following due administrative procedures,” according to the NDA. However, the family disputes receiving formal written notification.
The Academy acknowledged renewed investigations. “Feedback received later from his parents, revealed that his whereabouts could not be ascertained and it led to renewed investigative procedure by the Academy which is still ongoing,” the statement confirmed.
“The report alleged that the Cadet mysteriously went missing from the Academy without appropriate actions taken by NDA to ascertain his whereabouts,” Major Kovangiya said. Nevertheless, the Academy insists it acted appropriately.
Family’s Desperate Search: Barriers and Blocked Efforts
The family has exhausted multiple channels seeking answers. They visited the NDA on May 1 and May 5, 2025, but were not allowed to search or access any part of the Academy where their son may have been last seen.
Furthermore, they reported the incident at local police stations. However, they allege no reference number was issued. This complicated formal tracking of their complaint. Additionally, political representatives have not responded.
On July 18, 2025, nearly three months after Gani’s disappearance, his father received a mysterious call from a private number at about 2:01 p.m. The family has not disclosed the call’s content. Nevertheless, it added to their distress.
The family emphasized their emotional and financial exhaustion. “Stephen is our first son. Our child,” the father said. “We are begging the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Nigerian government: help us find him”.
NDA Defends Security Protocols and Reputation
“The NDA therefore calls on the general public to discountenance the claim that the institution is doing nothing about the Cadet’s mysterious disappearance,” the official statement declared.
“We will continue to engage all parties in this matter to ensure a positive outcome. We wish to reiterate that NDA takes the safety and wellbeing of all its cadets seriously,” Major Kovangiya emphasized.
“Adequate structures are on ground to ensure every cadet is accounted for through regular stop checks and physical inspections,” the Academy stated. Moreover, it highlighted its military excellence.
“It is significant to reiterate that the training and administration of cadets in NDA are strictly governed by military laws, procedures and time-honoured traditions as spelt out in the Code of Conducts of the academy,” the spokesperson added.
The NDA describes itself as a bastion of military excellence. It remains “founded on the ideals of discipline, diligence, loyalty, honour and valour” and continues producing officers for Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
Key Questions Remain Unanswered
Several critical issues remain unresolved in this case namely;
1. Timeline Discrepancies: The family claims they learned about the disappearance on April 29. However, the NDA states notification occurred three days after April 28. This represents April 30 or May 1. The exact sequence remains unclear.
2. Documentation Dispute: The family insists they received only phone calls. Conversely, the NDA claims formal notification occurred. No written documentation has been presented publicly.
3. Roommate Accounts: Initial reports mentioned bed checks and lights-out attendance. Subsequently, roommate statements suggested a 3:00 a.m. departure. These narratives require reconciliation.
4. Investigation Status: While the NDA confirms ongoing investigations, no timeline exists. Furthermore, no findings have been shared. The family awaits concrete results.
5. Access Restrictions: The family’s inability to access Academy premises raises questions. Typically, families of missing persons participate in searches. This restriction appears unusual.
What Happens Next: Calls for Transparency
The case has attracted significant media attention since December 8, 2025. SaharaReporters published the family’s exclusive account initially. Subsequently, national newspapers picked up the story. Finally, the NDA issued its Friday statement.
Civil society organizations have begun monitoring the case. They emphasize the need for transparency in military institutions. Additionally, they advocate for family rights in such situations.
The family submitted a formal enquiry to the NDA Panel of Investigation. They “appealed directly to ‘the Secretary, Panel of Investigation into the disappearance of Cdt. Stephen Kubuma Gani'”. However, no public statement from this panel has emerged.
The disappearance raises broader questions about cadet safety. Military training environments require strict security measures. Nevertheless, accountability mechanisms must also protect individual rights. Balancing these concerns remains challenging.
National Security and Individual Rights
The Nigerian Defence Academy represents Nigeria’s premier military training institution. It produces officers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Consequently, its reputation matters significantly.
However, this case highlights tensions between institutional protocols and family needs. When someone disappears from a secure facility, questions naturally arise. Transparency becomes essential for maintaining public trust.
The family’s religious concerns add another dimension. While the NDA has not addressed these allegations, they reflect deeper societal anxieties. Military institutions must ensure all cadets receive equal treatment and protection.
Seven months have passed since Cadet Gani vanished. His family continues waiting for answers. Meanwhile, the investigation proceeds without public updates. The NDA maintains it followed proper procedures.
As December 2025 unfolds, this case exemplifies challenges facing military institutions. Balancing operational security with transparency remains difficult. Nevertheless, families of missing persons deserve answers. The outcome of this investigation will influence public perception significantly.
Key Facts:
- Missing Since: April 28, 2025
- Duration: Over 7 months
- Age: 21 years old
- Course: 76 Regular Course, Naval Cadet
- Study: Geography Department
- Battalion: Burma Battalion
- Registration Number: NDA/15131
- Home: Wukari LGA, Taraba State
- Investigation Status: Ongoing
- Public Confirmation: December 13, 2025
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.