Nigerian troops rescue kidnapped army senior officer in Plateau

Troops of Operation Ensuring Peace, OPEP have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by unidentified gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The successful operation was contained in a statement posted by the Nigerian Army Headquarters on its official Facebook page on Tuesday.

DAILY POST reports that the retired officer was kidnapped from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA on Monday.

According to the statement, upon receipt of the distress call, troops swiftly mobilised and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.

“The troops, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilantes, sustained intensive search and rescue operations, combing suspected criminal hideouts across caves and rocky high grounds within the general area.

“Later in the day, at about 1400 hours, the kidnappers contacted the wife of the abducted retired officer and demanded a ransom of Two Hundred Million Naira (₦200,000,000.00).

“Having observed the overwhelming presence and pressure from pursuing troops, the kidnappers issued threats to kill the victim if search operations were not halted.

“Consequently, troops tactically switched to covert operations, which culminated in the successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd) at about 1730 hours on 5 January 2026 at the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, without any ransom payment.

“The rescued retired officer is currently undergoing a medical examination at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre and is in stable condition. He will be debriefed to provide vital intelligence that will aid ongoing follow-up operations”, the statement added.