A senior Nigerian military intelligence officer has been killed after reportedly resisting an abduction attempt outside his residence in Abuja, adding to growing concerns over insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory.
Colonel Abdussalam Ude, a serving officer in the Nigerian Army, was attacked on Monday evening shortly after arriving at his home in the Kurudu area on the outskirts of Abuja. According to reports, armed assailants opened fire as he stepped out of his vehicle before attempting to force him into their custody.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the officer reportedly fought back against the attackers in an effort to prevent his abduction. Security sources said the gunmen responded by shooting him several times at close range, killing him at the scene.
The attack also left three other people injured. Colonel Ude’s wife, his driver, and a security guard sustained gunshot wounds during the incident and were rushed to a hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
The Nigerian Army is yet to issue an official statement on the killing. When contacted by journalists, the army’s spokesperson, Lt. Col. Appolonia Anele, said she would respond after obtaining more details about the incident.
Kurudu, where the attack occurred, is a rapidly growing suburb of Abuja that houses several military estates occupied by serving and retired personnel. The area has witnessed increasing security concerns in recent years, mirroring the wider rise in kidnapping incidents across communities surrounding the nation’s capital.
Colonel Ude was widely regarded as an experienced intelligence officer who served in several strategic counter-terrorism and military intelligence operations. Reports indicate that he participated in operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East and also handled specialised international assignments in Chad and France during his military career.
Security agencies have launched investigations into the attack and are working to identify and arrest those responsible. Colonel Ude, who hailed from Enugu State, was reportedly due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year. His burial was scheduled for Tuesday at the Mambilla Mosque in Abuja in accordance with Islamic rites.
