Army Rescues Retired Colonel, Six Kidnapping Victims in Plateau, Kaduna

Army Rescues Retired Colonel, Six Kidnapping Victims in Plateau, Kaduna

Plateau, Kaduna — Troops of Operation Enduring Peace successfully rescued a retired senior Nigerian Army officer, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction in Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, where kidnappers had demanded a N200 million ransom.

Colonel Ajanaku was abducted in the early hours of January 5, 2026, from his residence along Rukuba Road, opposite the Salvation Army Church. The Nigerian Army stated on X that soldiers, in coordination with Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) tracking teams and local vigilantes, conducted intensive search-and-rescue operations across forested terrain, caves, and rocky hideouts used by the kidnappers.

The Army said the kidnappers later contacted the victim’s wife demanding N200 million and threatened to kill him if security operations continued. Troops adjusted their approach with covert operations, leading to Colonel Ajanaku’s safe rescue around 5:30 p.m. on the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA, without any ransom being paid. He was evacuated to a medical center and confirmed to be in stable condition.

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The military also continues to comb surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing criminals, while Colonel Ajanaku is expected to provide actionable intelligence for follow-up operations.

Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, troops under Sector 1 of Operation Fansan Yamman rescued six kidnapped victims during coordinated operations in Chikun, Kajuru, Kachia, and Kagarko LGAs, including communities near the Kauru border. Acting Deputy Director, Lt. Col. Shuaib Umar, said troops responded to a distress alert regarding violent extremists around the Kasso-adjoining hills, engaging and dispersing the criminals before successfully freeing the victims.

The rescued victims were handed over to Kajuru Local Government and the Kajuru Emirate Council for reunification with their families. Military authorities described the operation as having significantly weakened criminal networks and reduced their freedom of movement in the affected communities.

Army Rescues Retired Colonel, Six Kidnapping Victims in Plateau, Kaduna