Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (retd.), following his abduction by gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. According to the statement, the retired officer was kidnapped in the early hours of Monday, January 5, 2026, at about 12:45 a.m., from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road in Bassa LGA.
The Army said troops from Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation Enduring Peace swiftly mobilised after receiving a distress call and immediately pursued the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park.
Later that same day, at about 2:00 p.m., the kidnappers reportedly contacted the wife of the abducted officer, demanding a ransom of N200 million for his release.
However, sensing intense pressure from the pursuing troops, the abductors threatened to kill their victim if military search operations were not halted.
In response, the Army said troops tactically switched to covert operations. This strategy paid off, as Colonel Ajanaku was successfully rescued at about 5:30 p.m. on January 5, 2026, at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA, without the payment of any ransom.
The Army confirmed that the rescued officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation Enduring Peace Medical Centre and is in stable condition. He will also be debriefed to provide critical intelligence to support ongoing and follow-up operations.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intensified combing operations in surrounding forests to track down the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property, vowing to continue denying criminal elements freedom of action within the joint operations area.
