Troops Rescue Abducted Retired Colonel in Plateau as Kidnappers Demand ₦200 Million Ransom

Task Manager
January 6, 2026

Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Ajanaku, who was abducted by armed men in the early hours of Sunday in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. The operation, which involved coordinated tracking and search efforts across difficult terrain, led to the officer’s rescue within hours of his abduction, despite threats by the kidnappers to kill him if their demands were not met.

According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, Colonel Ajanaku was kidnapped at approximately 12:45 a.m. on January 5, 2026, when gunmen stormed his residence located opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road in Bassa LGA. Witnesses said the attackers arrived under the cover of darkness, overpowered security around the area, and whisked the retired officer away before help could arrive.

Following the incident, troops drawn from relevant military formations in Plateau State were immediately mobilised. Security sources disclosed that soldiers quickly established the kidnappers’ likely escape routes and commenced pursuit operations. The abductors were reportedly tracked through the Wildlife Park axis, an area known for its dense vegetation and rocky outcrops, which criminals often exploit as hideouts.

Search-and-rescue operations were intensified around nearby caves and elevated rocky terrain suspected to serve as temporary camps for kidnappers operating in the area. A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, who disclosed details of the operation on Monday, quoted sources familiar with the rescue mission as saying that troops employed both overt and covert tactics to prevent the captors from detecting their movements.

During the operation, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the wife of the retired officer and demanded a ransom of ₦200 million. The abductors allegedly threatened to kill Colonel Ajanaku if rescue attempts continued or if the ransom was not paid within a specified time frame. Security sources, however, said the military refused to halt the operation, opting instead for a stealthy approach to avoid endangering the victim.

The decision to switch to covert operations reportedly proved decisive. At about 5:30 p.m. on the same day, troops successfully located and rescued Colonel Ajanaku at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA. The retired officer was extracted from the area without reports of casualties among security personnel.

Following his rescue, Colonel Ajanaku was immediately taken to a military medical facility, where he is currently undergoing medical evaluation. Sources said he is expected to be debriefed by security agencies to provide intelligence that could assist in identifying the kidnappers, their routes, and any accomplices involved in the operation.

Meanwhile, troops have continued combing surrounding forests and suspected hideouts in pursuit of the fleeing suspects. Security operations remain ongoing in the area as the military intensifies efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the region. No official confirmation has yet been given on whether any of the kidnappers were arrested or neutralised during the operation.

The abduction and swift rescue of the retired colonel have once again drawn attention to the worsening security situation in parts of Plateau State and neighbouring areas. Residents have expressed concern over the growing boldness of criminal elements, especially given the proximity of the abduction site to military formations in the state.

While many Nigerians have commended the army for rescuing the victim within the same day, others have raised questions about the frequency of kidnappings and the need for more proactive measures to prevent such incidents. Security analysts have also warned that criminal groups continue to exploit forests, wildlife reserves, and rocky terrains as escape routes and operational bases.

The incident adds to a growing list of abductions across the country, highlighting the persistent challenge faced by security agencies despite ongoing military operations against banditry and kidnapping. For many residents, the rescue offers relief but also underscores the urgent need for sustained security reforms to curb the menace.

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