Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have successfully rescued Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, after he was abducted by unknown gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired officer was kidnapped in the early hours of 5 January 2026, around 0045 hours, from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road. Following the distress call, troops from Sectors 1 and 3 of OPEP swiftly mobilized and began tracking the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.
The operation, conducted in collaboration with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilante groups, involved intensive searches across caves and rocky high grounds within the area.
By 1400 hours, the kidnappers contacted Colonel Ajanaku’s wife, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million. Observing the strong military presence and ongoing search efforts, the kidnappers threatened to kill the retired officer if the pursuit continued.
Adopting a tactical covert approach, the troops successfully rescued Colonel Ajanaku at about 1730 hours on the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis, Bassa LGA, without any ransom payment.
The rescued officer is currently receiving medical attention at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre and is reported to be in stable condition. He will be debriefed to provide intelligence that may assist in ongoing operations against criminal networks.
Operation ENDURING PEACE troops continue to comb nearby forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and vowed to continue denying criminal elements freedom of action across its operational areas.
Daily Frontier is committed to being a trusted source of accurate and timely news, offering in-depth coverage of current affairs, emerging trends, and critical issues shaping today’s world
