Colonel Abdussalam Ude shot dead in Nasarawa community as police clarify incident did not occur within FCT, launch investigation

A senior Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, has been shot dead by gunmen during a suspected kidnap attempt at his residence in Badna, a community in New Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The attack, which occurred on Monday night amid heavy rainfall, initially sparked confusion after early reports suggested it happened within Abuja. However, authorities have since clarified that the incident took place in Nasarawa, a border community adjoining the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to residents, the assailants stormed the officer’s home with the intention of abducting him. The situation turned deadly when the colonel reportedly resisted their attempt.

“They came during the rain and tried to take him away, but he resisted. That was when they shot him multiple times,” a local source recounted.

A journalist and a community leader in the area also confirmed the killing, describing the incident as shocking and brazen.

Police sources said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kurudu visited the scene on Tuesday, where the officer’s body was recovered and evacuated to a morgue.

Initial reactions from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command distanced the incident from Abuja, urging inquiries to be directed to Nasarawa authorities. The Nasarawa State Police Command had earlier indicated it was still gathering details.

In a follow-up statement later on Tuesday, the FCT Police Command confirmed that investigations had established the true location of the attack as Badna in Nasarawa State, dismissing earlier claims linking it to Abuja.

“The incident did not occur within the jurisdiction of the FCT Police Command as falsely portrayed in some reports,” the statement read.

The police expressed concern over what it described as misleading reports circulating online, warning that inaccurate information had heightened public anxiety among residents of the capital.

Authorities also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, had ordered the immediate deployment of security and intelligence personnel to border communities between Abuja and Nasarawa. The move, they said, is aimed at preventing criminal elements from exploiting the proximity to carry out attacks within the capital.

“The deployment is to strengthen surveillance and ensure that no criminal group infiltrates the FCT or carries out unlawful activities,” the command stated.

The police further urged journalists and the public to verify security-related information before sharing, noting that unverified reports could undermine public confidence and create unnecessary panic.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army is yet to issue an official statement on the killing, though its spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele, confirmed that a formal response is being prepared.

The killing adds to growing concerns over insecurity in communities bordering the nation’s capital, where residents have increasingly reported cases of kidnapping and violent attacks.