The family of slain Colonel Abdulrazaq Abdulkareem Udeh, has declared that the late military intelligence officer was deliberately assassinated by gunmen and not as a result of his alleged attempt to resist abduction.
The family which stated its position on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, debunked reports that the late colonel died following a fight as a result of resistance he had with armed men who allegedly attempted to kidnap him at his residence in the Kurudu area of the Federal Capital Territory.
Ali Chukwudi, who said he is a brother-in-law to the late Col Udeh, posted on his Facebook page that the slain military officer was assassinated in a well targeted operation.
According to Chukwudi; “The attackers shot him in the head, killing him. They also shot his wife — my sister — in the leg. The driver and the gateman were both shot in the legs as well. As I write this, my sister is in the hospital, fighting to survive”.
Chukwudi stressed that late Colonel Udeh’s life was cut short just months before a promotion he had earned through years of dedicated service.
Chukwudi further said that the targeted and deliberate killing of the late Colonel was an attack on a patriotic military officer, thus called for a thorough investigation and justice, just as he called on the authorities to ensure that everyone involved in the crime is brought to book.
He further said; “A thorough, transparent, and uncompromising investigation must be carried out to identify, arrest, and prosecute every person responsible for this heinous crime. Justice must not only be done — it must be seen to be done”.
The late Colonel Udeh served in several strategic military intelligence and counter-terrorism roles in the Nigerian military and participated in operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North-East and specialised international assignments in Chad and France.
The brutal murder of Colonel Udeh has renewed concerns over the safety of both serving and retired military personnel in the nation’s capital.
About two years ago, Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere (retd), was killed during an armed robbery attack at his Abuja residence in June 2024.
Colonel Udeh’s family’s account has opened a different angle to the earlier information in the public which stated that the late military intelligence officer was ambushed and shot multiple times at close range by armed men shortly after he arrived at his residence on Monday evening for resisting to be kidnapped.
The attackers also shot at the colonel’s wife, driver and security guard. The trio were rushed to hospital and are presently receiving treatment.
