Nigerian Army troops have rescued a retired senior military officer, Col. Ajanaku (rtd), who was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired officer was kidnapped around 12:45 a.m. on January 5, 2025, from his home opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road. Troops drawn from relevant sectors swiftly responded, trailing the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park, while intensifying search-and-rescue operations around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the abductors later contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million and threatening to kill the retired officer if rescue efforts were not stopped.
Security forces were said to have switched to covert operations, which led to the successful rescue of Col. Ajanaku 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 examinations at a military medical facility and will be debriefed to provide intelligence for follow-up operations. Meanwhile, troops have continued combing surrounding forests in pursuit of the fleeing kidnappers.
