Nigeria: Military Confirms Killing of Army Colonel By Gunmen in Abuja

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Premium Times report from Abuja, says Nigeria’s Defence Intelligence Agency has confirmed the death of Col. Abdussalam Ude, a senior DIA officer, after a shooting at his home in the Phase 5 Army Housing Estate in Kurudu, Abuja. According to the report, the agency said Ude was attacked by unidentified gunmen at around 10:45 p.m. on Monday, 27 July, and issued its confirmation on Tuesday evening.

Premium Times reported that Ude, a Nigerian Army colonel, died during an exchange of fire with armed men who were attempting to abduct him. The report said his wife, driver and security guard were injured in the incident. The DIA said security and law-enforcement agencies had opened a full investigation and were working to find and prosecute those responsible.

The agency described Ude as a committed officer and extended condolences to his family, colleagues and the Armed Forces. Premium Times reported that he had served in military intelligence and counter-terrorism roles, including work linked to operations in Nigeria’s North-east and assignments in Chad and France. The report also said he was from Enugu State, was expected to be promoted to brigadier general next year, and was scheduled for burial on Tuesday at Mambilla Mosque in Abuja under Islamic rites.

The report places the killing in the context of previous attacks on the same military estate, including a January 2024 abduction and an attempted kidnapping in April. It also notes broader concerns over kidnapping in Abuja’s outlying communities, where security agencies have increased operations in recent years.