Troops Rescue Retired Colonel Abducted In Plateau After Hours-Long Manhunt, Foil N200m Ransom Plot

Jos, Plateau State– Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Ajanaku (retd.), who was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was gathered that the retired officer was kidnapped at about 12:45 a.m. on January 5, 2026, from his house located opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA.

Security sources disclosed that immediately after the incident was reported, troops drawn from relevant military sectors were deployed to the area and swiftly trailed the abductors along their escape route, which passed through the Plateau State Wildlife Park.

A security expert, Zagazola Makama, who cited intelligence sources, said search-and-rescue operations were intensified around caves, forests and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts, as troops closed in on the kidnappers.

It was further gathered that the abductors later contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of N200 million, while threatening to kill the retired officer if ongoing rescue efforts were not halted.

However, security forces were said to have switched to covert operations, a move that eventually led to the successful rescue of Col. Ajanaku at about 5:30 p.m. the same day at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA.

Sources said the retired colonel was rescued unharmed and has since been taken to a military medical facility, where he is currently undergoing medical checks.

He is also expected to be debriefed by security agencies to provide intelligence that could aid follow-up operations and the arrest of the fleeing kidnappers.

Meanwhile, troops have continued combing surrounding forests and communities in pursuit of the suspects, as security operations remain ongoing in the area.