A serving military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, has been shot dead after reportedly resisting an attempt by armed assailants to abduct him at his residence in the Kurudu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

The attackers were said to have ambushed the senior officer shortly after he arrived at his home on Monday evening, opening fire as he stepped out of his vehicle.

According to reports, the gunmen attempted to whisk the officer away, but he fought back despite being heavily outnumbered. His resistance reportedly frustrated the abduction plot, prompting the attackers to shoot him multiple times at close range.

A source familiar with the preliminary investigation said the late officer refused to surrender to his assailants.

“He resisted them. From what investigators have gathered, they wanted to take him away, but he fought back. Unfortunately, he paid the ultimate price,” the source said.

The attack also left three members of his household injured. His wife, driver and security guard sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds and were rushed to a hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Colonel Ude, an indigene of Enugu State, was described by colleagues and security sources as a courageous and highly respected intelligence officer who remained calm even in life-threatening situations. He was reportedly due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year.

Before his death, he served in several strategic military intelligence and counter-terrorism positions within the Armed Forces. He also participated in numerous operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East and undertook specialised international assignments in Chad and France, contributing to intelligence-sharing and security cooperation.

His burial has been scheduled for Tuesday at the Mambilla Mosque in Abuja in accordance with Islamic rites.

Security agencies have since launched an investigation into the incident and are working to identify and apprehend those behind the attack, while efforts are ongoing to determine the motive for the killing.

The incident has renewed concerns over increasing attacks targeting serving and retired military officers in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a similar incident, retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere was killed on June 22, 2024, after armed men invaded his residence at Sunshine Homes Estate in the Lokogoma area of Abuja. The retired officer was reportedly stabbed to death while defending his family before the attackers fled with his firearm and other valuables.