Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (retd.), who was abducted by suspected kidnappers in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
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. Following a distress call, troops of Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation Enduring Peace were immediately deployed and trailed the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park area.
The search-and-rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with a Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) tracking team and local vigilantes, with troops combing suspected criminal hideouts, including caves and rocky high grounds within the area.
At about 2:00 p.m. the same day, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million. They also threatened to kill the retired officer if military search operations were not halted.
In response, troops tactically switched to covert operations, a move that led to the successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku at about 5:30 p.m. on January 5, 2026, at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis of Bassa LGA. No ransom was paid.
The rescued officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation Enduring Peace Medical Centre and is reported to be in stable condition. He is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence to support ongoing follow-up operations.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intensified combing operations in surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle their criminal network.
The Nigerian Army reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property, assuring that Operation Enduring Peace will continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the joint operations area.
