By Gloria Drealomalicha
Gunmen have killed a serving Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Abdussalam Ude, during a deadly attack on his residence in the Kurudu area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening shortly after the senior military officer returned home from work.
According to sources familiar with the incident, the armed assailants stormed the residence in what is believed to have been an attempted abduction of either the officer or members of his family. During the attack, Colonel Ude was shot and later died from his injuries.
His wife, driver and security guard also sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Authorities are yet to establish the exact motive behind the attack, although investigators are exploring the possibility of a kidnap attempt.
Security agencies, alongside military authorities, have launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killing.
Colonel Ude, an indigene of Enugu State, served in the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps and was widely regarded as an experienced intelligence officer. Throughout his military career, he held several strategic intelligence and counter-terrorism positions and played key roles in operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East.
He also undertook international assignments, including deployments to the Republic of Chad and France, where he contributed to intelligence sharing and security cooperation efforts.
Colleagues described him as a disciplined, dedicated and highly professional officer whose commitment to national security earned him widespread respect within the military.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official statement on the incident. More details are expected as investigations continue.
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