Abdulsalam Ude, a colonel with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), has been killed after resisting an attack by gunmen at his residence in Abuja. J.E. Oti, acting assistant director of protocol at the DIA, in a statement on Tuesday, said the assailants attempted to abduct Ude shortly after he arrived at his residence in Phase 5, Army Housing Estate, Kurudu, on the outskirts of Abuja at about 10:45pm on Monday. “The agency is deeply saddened by this unfortunate loss. The late senior officer served the nation with exceptional dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the defence and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement reads. “Every effort is being made to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible. “The agency is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the circumstances surrounding the incident are thoroughly investigated. “The agency remains resolute in its constitutional mandate to safeguard Nigeria’s security and assures the public that it will continue to work with all relevant agencies to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.” DIA extended its condolences to the family of the deceased senior officer, his colleagues and all members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The agency said it is committed to fulfilling its constitutional mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s national security. It assured the public that it would continue to work closely with relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the officer’s death are identified and brought to justice.