In a swift and daring operation, troops from the Nigerian Army's Operation Enduring Peace successfully rescued retired senior officer Colonel Joseph Ajanaku from his abductors in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The dramatic incident began in the early hours of January 5, 2026, around 12:45 a.m., when armed gunmen stormed Colonel Ajanaku's home opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road. They whisked him away, sparking an immediate response from military personnel.
Soldiers quickly mobilized, trailing the kidnappers through the Wildlife Park and intensifying searches in nearby caves and rocky hideouts. As pressure mounted, the abductors contacted the retired colonel's wife later that day, demanding a staggering N200 million ransom and threatening to kill him if rescue efforts continued.
Faced with the threats, the troops smartly shifted to covert tactics. This proved decisive, leading to Colonel Ajanaku's safe recovery around 5:30 p.m. on the outskirts of the Rafiki area—no ransom paid.Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 3rd Division, confirmed the rescue, noting that the retired officer was in stable condition and undergoing medical checks at a military facility.
He is expected to be debriefed for intelligence to track down the fleeing suspects.Operations continue in the surrounding forests as security forces work to dismantle kidnapping networks in the region. This rescue highlights the ongoing challenges of insecurity in parts of Nigeria but also the determination of the military to protect citizens.
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