Tragedy Strikes: Army Colonel Killed Resisting Kidnappers, Family Also Shot in Abuja/Nasarawa Attack
A Nigerian military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, was shot dead on July 27, 2026, after reportedly resisting an abduction attempt at his residence near Abuja. The attack also left his wife, driver, and security guard injured. Authorities have launched an investigation into the killing of the highly respected officer.
A serving Nigerian military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, was tragically shot dead on Monday evening, July 27, 2026, after reportedly resisting armed assailants who attempted to abduct him from his residence. The incident occurred shortly after Colonel Ude arrived at his home in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, an area also identified as Kurudu on the outskirts of Abuja.
According to security sources, the attackers ambushed Colonel Ude as he alighted from his vehicle, opening fire in an apparent attempt to kidnap him. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the senior officer, known for his courage and dedication, reportedly fought back, frustrating the kidnappers' initial efforts to take him away. This resistance led the gunmen to shoot him multiple times at close range, resulting in his immediate death.
The violent attack also extended to members of his household. Colonel Ude's wife, his driver, and a security guard sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the assault. They were subsequently rushed to a hospital where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Colonel Ude, who hailed from Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, was a highly respected intelligence operative and was due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year. Throughout his distinguished career, he served in several strategic military intelligence and counter-terrorism roles within the Armed Forces of Nigeria. His contributions included participation in numerous operations against insurgents in the North-East and specialized international assignments in the Republic of Chad and France, where he was instrumental in intelligence gathering and security cooperation.
Authorities have promptly launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, with security agencies actively working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the heinous crime. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under intense scrutiny.
Colonel Ude's burial is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Mambilla Mosque in Abuja, in accordance with Islamic rites, as the nation mourns the loss of a brave officer.