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.
Colonel Ajanaku was kidnapped in the early hours of 5 January 2026 at about 12:45 a.m. from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA. Upon receiving a distress call, troops of Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation ENDURING PEACE swiftly mobilised and trailed the abductors along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.
The troops, working in collaboration with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilantes, sustained intensive search-and-rescue operations, combing suspected criminal hideouts, including caves and rocky high grounds within the area.
Later that day, at about 2:00 p.m., the kidnappers contacted the wife of the retired officer and demanded a ransom of ₦200 million. Observing the overwhelming presence and pressure from pursuing troops, the abductors threatened to kill the victim if search operations were not halted.
In response, troops tactically switched to covert operations, which culminated in the successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd) at about 5:30 p.m. on 5 January 2026 at the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, without the payment of any ransom.
The rescued officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre and is reported to be in stable condition. He will also be debriefed to provide vital intelligence to support ongoing follow-up operations.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE are continuing aggressive combing operations in surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.
The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and to denying criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
