Nigerian Army troops have rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Ajanaku, who was abducted by gunmen from his residence in the Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired officer was kidnapped at approximately 12:45 a.m. on January 5, 2026, after armed men stormed his home opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.
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Following the incident, troops from relevant military sectors were immediately mobilized. The soldiers reportedly trailed the kidnappers along an escape route through the Wildlife Park, while search-and-rescue operations were intensified around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts.
Security expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the development on Monday, quoting sources familiar with the operation. According to him, the abductors had contacted the victim’s wife to demand a ransom of N200 million, threatening to kill the retired officer if rescue efforts were not halted.
However, security forces shifted to covert operations, a move that eventually proved successful. Colonel Ajanaku was rescued at about 5:30 p.m. the same day on the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA.
The rescued officer is currently undergoing medical checks at a military facility and is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence for follow-up operations against the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, troops continue to comb the surrounding forests and hideouts in pursuit of the fleeing suspects, as security operations in the area remain ongoing.
