Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by armed men in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired colonel was kidnapped in the early hours of January 5, 2026, at about 12:45 a.m., from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road. Security sources disclosed that immediately a distress alert was received, troops from Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation ENDURING PEACE were swiftly deployed to trail the kidnappers.
The pursuit led through the Wildlife Park axis, with troops working in close collaboration with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilante groups. The joint team carried out an intensive search, combing suspected criminal hideouts, including caves and rocky high grounds within the area.
Later that same day, at about 2:00 p.m., the kidnappers reportedly contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million. Sources said the abductors threatened to kill the retired officer if the ongoing military search was not halted.
In response, the troops tactically adjusted their approach, switching to covert operations to avoid endangering the victim. This strategy paid off when Colonel Ajanaku was successfully rescued at about 5:30 p.m. on the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis in Bassa LGA—without the payment of any ransom.
The rescued officer is currently receiving medical attention at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre, where he is said to be in stable condition. He is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence that could support ongoing operations against criminal elements in the area.
Meanwhile, troops have continued aggressive combing operations across surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their network.
The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property, assuring residents that security forces will continue to deny criminal groups freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
OPEP Troops Rescue Retired Army Colonel From Kidnappers in Plateau
By Staff Reporter
Jos, January 6, 2026
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by armed men in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired colonel was kidnapped in the early hours of January 5, 2026, at about 12:45 a.m., from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road. Security sources disclosed that immediately a distress alert was received, troops from Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation ENDURING PEACE were swiftly deployed to trail the kidnappers.
The pursuit led through the Wildlife Park axis, with troops working in close collaboration with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilante groups. The joint team carried out an intensive search, combing suspected criminal hideouts, including caves and rocky high grounds within the area.
Later that same day, at about 2:00 p.m., the kidnappers reportedly contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of ₦200 million. Sources said the abductors threatened to kill the retired officer if the ongoing military search was not halted.
In response, the troops tactically adjusted their approach, switching to covert operations to avoid endangering the victim. This strategy paid off when Colonel Ajanaku was successfully rescued at about 5:30 p.m. on the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis in Bassa LGA—without the payment of any ransom.
The rescued officer is currently receiving medical attention at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre, where he is said to be in stable condition. He is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence that could support ongoing operations against criminal elements in the area.
Meanwhile, troops have continued aggressive combing operations across surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their network.
The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, reiterated its commitment to the protection of lives and property, assuring residents that security forces will continue to deny criminal groups freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
