Nigerian troopers underneath Operation Enduring Peace have rescued Col. Joseph Ajanaku (rtd), who was kidnapped by gunmen in Bassa native authorities space of Plateau state.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Military mentioned the rescue adopted a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving troops from sectors 1 and three of the operation.
Ajanaku was kidnapped within the early hours of Monday at about 12:45 am from his residence reverse the Salvation Military Church alongside Rukuba Highway.
The Military mentioned troops, working with a Defence Intelligence Company monitoring crew and native vigilantes, pursued the abductors alongside their escape route by the wildlife park.
It added that the search was intensified throughout caves and rocky excessive grounds suspected to be felony hideouts.
Based on the assertion, the abductors contacted the sufferer’s spouse at about 2:00 pm on Monday and demanded a ransom of N200 million.
The Military mentioned the abductors later threatened to kill the retired officer if the continuing search operation was not halted.
“Consequently, troops tactically switched to covert operations, which culminated within the profitable rescue of Colonel Ajanaku (retd.) at about 1730 hours on 5 January 2026 on the outskirts of the Rafiki axis, Bassa LGA, Plateau state, with none ransom cost,” the assertion reads.
Aliyu Danja, Performing Deputy Director of Military Public Relations for the third division, mentioned the rescued officer is at present present process medical examination.
He mentioned Ajanaku is receiving therapy on the Operation Enduring Peace Medical Centre and is in steady situation.
Danja mentioned the retired officer could be debriefed to offer intelligence to help follow-up operations in opposition to the felony community.
The Military reiterated its dedication to denying felony parts freedom of motion inside the joint operations space.
It additionally urged residents to proceed supporting safety businesses with well timed and credible info.