Gunmen Kill Army Colonel During Foiled Abduction Attempt in Nasarawa

A serving Nigerian Army intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, has been shot dead after reportedly resisting an abduction attempt by armed men at his residence in Badna, New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The attack occurred on Monday evening, July 27, 2026, shortly after the senior military officer arrived at his home. According to security sources, the gunmen ambushed him as he stepped out of his vehicle and opened fire in what was believed to be an attempt to kidnap him.

Rather than surrender, Colonel Ude reportedly confronted the attackers despite being heavily outnumbered, frustrating their efforts to abduct him. The assailants then allegedly shot him several times at close range, killing him at the scene.

The gunmen also opened fire on members of his household, leaving his wife, driver and security guard with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. The injured victims were rushed to a hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Colonel Ude, an intelligence officer in the Nigerian Army, was said to be due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year. He hailed from Igbo Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State and was an Igbo Muslim.

He is scheduled to be buried according to Islamic rites at the Mambilla Mosque in Abuja. Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident or announce any arrests in connection with the attack.