How retired Colonel Ajanaku was rescued from abductors in Plateau

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), from kidnappers in Plateau State, following a swift, intelligence-driven operation that foiled a ₦200 million ransom demand.

The retired officer was abducted in the early hours of Sunday, 5 January 2026, at about 12:45 a.m. from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road in Bassa Local Government Area.

Military sources said troops from Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation Enduring Peace immediately mobilised after receiving a distress call, trailing the kidnappers through the Wildlife Park corridor believed to be their escape route.

Working closely with the Defence Intelligence Agency tracking team and local vigilantes, the troops launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission, combing suspected hideouts across caves and rocky high grounds within the area. The pressure mounted as the operation expanded across difficult terrain.

At about 2:00 p.m. the same day, the kidnappers contacted the officer’s wife, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million. They also threatened to kill the victim if the ongoing search was not halted. In response, troops tactically adjusted their approach, switching to covert operations to avoid endangering the hostage.

The strategy paid off. At about 5:30 p.m., Colonel Ajanaku was rescued at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis of Bassa LGA without the payment of any ransom.

He has since been taken to the Operation Enduring Peace Medical Centre, where he is undergoing medical evaluation and is reported to be in stable condition. He is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence that could aid follow-up operations.

Meanwhile, troops have intensified combing operations in surrounding forests to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle their criminal network.

The Nigerian Army said the operation underscores its resolve to protect lives and property, reaffirming that criminal elements will continue to be denied freedom of action across the joint operations area.