Gunmen
By Victory Oghene
This is the pathetic story of how gunmen killed a serving Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Abdussalam Ude in Abuja.
The Army officer attacked and killed in his residence in Kurudu district of Abuja.
The incident reportedly happened on Monday evening when the assailants allegedly attacked the officer shortly after he returned from work.
The officer, a native of Enugu State, was widely regarded as a dedicated professional and had been due for promotion to Brigadier General next year, The gunmen attempted to abduct him, but he fought back despite being heavily outnumbered, refusing to surrender.
His resistance, according to security sources, prevented the assailants from taking him away alive, though they eventually shot him multiple times at close range.
During the attack, the gunmen also opened fire on members of his household, leaving his wife, driver and security guard with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The victims were rushed to hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, and the motive has yet to be officially established.
Sources familiar with the matter said security agencies and military authorities have commenced investigations to identify those responsible for the attack.
Colonel Ude served in the Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps and held several strategic intelligence and counter-terrorism appointments during his military career.
He reportedly participated in operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East and was deployed on international assignments, including in the Republic of Chad and France, where he contributed to intelligence and security cooperation efforts.
