Troops Free Abducted Retired Colonel in Plateau

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 3rd Division have successfully rescued a retired senior officer, Colonel Ajanaku (rtd), who was abducted by armed men in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The retired colonel was reportedly seized from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road at about 12:45 a.m. on Monday, after the assailants forcefully gained access to the house.
Confirming the development, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 3rd Division, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said the officer was freed later the same day and immediately taken for medical evaluation.
“I can confirm that the senior officer was rescued by our troops in the early hours of the evening. He has since been taken to our medical facility for a medical check-up,” Danja stated.
According to sources in Bassa, troops drawn from different sectors swiftly commenced a manhunt for the kidnappers, trailing them through the Wildlife Park and into nearby caves and rocky areas believed to serve as hideouts for criminal elements.
The operation later shifted to a covert strategy, which eventually led to the safe rescue of the retired officer at about 6 p.m. around the Rafiki axis of Bassa LGA.
Prior to his rescue, the kidnappers had reportedly contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of N200 million and threatening to kill him should any rescue attempt be made.
While the military has not confirmed whether any suspects were arrested during the operation, it was gathered that security operations in the area were still ongoing as of Monday night. (Daily Trust)