Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 3rd Division and Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have successfully rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Joseph Ajanaku (rtd), from kidnappers in Plateau State.
Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 3rd Division, confirmed the successful rescue operation on Tuesday in Jos.
This official statement verifies troops’ decisive action against the kidnappers holding the retired officer.
Danja’s announcement provides clarity amid circulating reports of the abduction in Plateau State, a region plagued by banditry and insecurity.
The military’s swift response demonstrates enhanced operational readiness in volatile areas.
The confirmation reassures the public of the armed forces’ commitment to citizen safety, particularly targeting high-value abductions of retired personnel.
“I can confirm that our troops rescued the senior officer in the early hours of the evening. He has been taken to our medical facility for medical checks,” Danja said.
Army Source Reveals Colonel Ajanaku’s Abduction Details
A credible Army Headquarters source disclosed that Colonel Ajanaku faced abduction around 12:45 a.m. on January 5 from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.
The incident occurred in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, a notorious hotspot for banditry and kidnappings targeting high-profile individuals.
The retired officer’s home location underscores vulnerability even in established communities.
Troops launched immediate operations, tracking the kidnappers through forested routes typical of Plateau abductions.
Their eventual rescue highlights enhanced intelligence and rapid deployment capabilities.
This successful operation boosts military morale while signaling determination against escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Troops from Operation Enduring Peace Track Plateau Kidnappers Through Wildlife Park
Troops from Sectors 1 and 3 of Operation Enduring Peace mounted a swift response to Colonel Ajanaku’s abduction in Plateau State.
They pursued the kidnappers along their escape route through the challenging Wildlife Park axis, demonstrating coordinated rapid deployment.
This joint operation showcases inter-sector collaboration against banditry networks exploiting forested escape corridors.
The troops, working in collaboration with operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and local vigilantes.
Conducted sustained search-and-rescue operations around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts.
Kidnappers Demanded ₦200M Ransom, Threatened to Kill Colonel Amid Rescue
Kidnappers contacted Colonel Ajanaku’s wife around 2:00 p.m., demanding ₦200 million ransom for the retired officer’s release.
They issued direct threats to execute him if military rescue efforts persisted, escalating pressure during the ongoing operation.
This standard tactic aims to derail troop movements and negotiations in Plateau State’s banditry hotspots.
Troops ignored the threats, pressing their Wildlife Park pursuit that secured the colonel’s freedom.
Following the threats, the source said the military adopted a covert operational strategy, which eventually led to success.
“The covert approach paid off, as Colonel Ajanaku was rescued at about 5:30 p.m. on the same day at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA,” the source said.
Colonel Ajanaku Undergoes Medical Check After Rescue
The rescued Colonel Ajanaku now receives comprehensive medical evaluation at the OPSH Medical Centre in Plateau State.
This step ensures his physical recovery from the early morning abduction ordeal on January 5.
Medical teams assess potential injuries sustained during captivity and the Wildlife Park pursuit.
A debriefing session follows to extract actionable intelligence from the officer for intensified follow-up operations against the bandit network.
