A serving Nigerian military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam Ude, was fatally shot on Monday evening after he resisted an attempt by armed assailants to abduct him at his residence in the Kurudu area of Abuja, according to PRNigeria.
The attack occurred shortly after the senior officer arrived home. As he alighted from his vehicle, the attackers opened fire and tried to whisk him away. Despite being outnumbered, Colonel Ude resisted, preventing the abduction. Security sources quoted by the publication said the assailants subsequently shot him multiple times at close range, killing him.
Casualties and Response
The attack also left the officer’s wife, his driver, and a security guard with gunshot injuries. They were taken to hospital and are receiving treatment. The army has not yet released an official statement about the incident. When contacted, the army’s spokesperson, Appolonia Anele, told PREMIUM TIMES that she would get back to the reporter.
Location and Context
Kurudu, located on the outskirts of Abuja, is home to thousands of residents, including army officers and soldiers living in army estates. The Nigerian capital has seen many kidnapping cases, particularly in communities on the city’s outskirts. Security agencies have apprehended several suspected kidnappers in the area.
Victim's Background
According to PRNigeria, Colonel Ude had served in several strategic intelligence and counter-terrorism roles within the Armed Forces. He participated in operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-east and undertook specialised international assignments in Chad and France. The officer, who hailed from Enugu State, was due for promotion to the rank of brigadier general next year.
Investigation and Burial
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, while security agencies have launched efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible. His burial was scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Mambilla Mosque in Abuja in accordance with Islamic rites.
