Nigerian Army Troops Rescue Kidnapped Retired Colonel

 Nigerian Army Troops Rescue Kidnapped Retired Colonel

Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Ajanaku, who was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Reports said the retired officer was kidnapped at about 12:45am on January 5, 2026, after armed men stormed his house opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.

It was gathered that the troops drawn from relevant military sectors were immediately mobilised following the incident.

The soldiers reportedly trailed the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park, while search-and-rescue operations were intensified around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to serve as criminal hideouts.

Colonel Ajanaku was successfully rescued at about 5:30 p.m. on the same day at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA, the sources said.

The rescued officer is currently undergoing medical checks at a military medical facility and is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence that could aid follow-up operations against the fleeing kidnappers.