Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by unidentified gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired senior officer was kidnapped in the early hours of 5 January 2026 at about 0045 hours from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA. Upon receipt of the distress call, troops of Sectors 1 and 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, swiftly mobilised and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.
The troops, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilantes, sustained intensive search and rescue operations, combing suspected criminal hideouts across caves and rocky high grounds within the general area.
Later in the day, 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 rescued retired officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre and is in stable condition. He will be debriefed to provide vital intelligence that will aid ongoing follow-up operations.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE are continuing aggressive combing operations within the surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.
The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and will continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.