Troops under Operation Enduring Peace have successfully freed a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (retd.), after he was abducted by armed men in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement released on Tuesday through its official X handle, the Nigerian Army disclosed that the retired officer was taken in the early hours of January 5, 2026, around 12:45 a.m., from his residence located opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road in Bassa LGA.
The statement explained that personnel from Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation Enduring Peace responded immediately after a distress alert was received and began tracking the kidnappers as they escaped through the Wildlife Park area.
According to the Army, the kidnappers later contacted the wife of the retired officer at about 1400 hours on Monday, demanding a ransom of Two Hundred Million Naira (₦200,000,000.00).
“Later in the day (Monday), 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 statement added.
The Army further revealed that Colonel Ajanaku is currently receiving medical attention at the Operation Enduring Peace Medical Centre, where he is said to be in stable condition.
“He will be debriefed to provide vital intelligence that will aid ongoing follow-up operations,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, troops involved in the operation have continued intensive search efforts across nearby forests in a bid to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
The Army reiterated its resolve to protect lives and property, assuring the public that it will persist in denying criminal groups the freedom to operate within the joint operations area.
What you should know
Operation Enduring Peace is a joint military effort aimed at addressing insecurity in Plateau State and surrounding areas, particularly crimes such as kidnapping and armed banditry.
The successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku without the payment of ransom underscores the military’s emphasis on intelligence-led and tactical operations. It also highlights ongoing security challenges in parts of Plateau State, where criminal elements frequently exploit forested routes for abductions.
The Army says follow-up operations are ongoing to arrest those responsible and prevent similar incidents in the future.
