Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued a retired senior military officer, Col. Ajanaku, who was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Bassa Local Government Area.
According to Zagazola Makama, the retired officer was kidnapped at about 12:45 a.m. on January 5 from his house opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.
Security sources said troops drawn from relevant sectors swiftly responded to the incident and trailed the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park.
Search-and-rescue operations were intensified around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts.
It was gathered that the abductors later contacted the victim’s wife, demanding a ransom of N200 million, while threatening to kill the retired officer if rescue efforts were not halted.
Despite the threat, security forces reportedly switched to covert tactics to avoid endangering the victim.
The operation paid off as troops successfully rescued Col. Ajanaku at about 5:30 p.m. on the same day at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA.
The retired officer is currently undergoing medical checks at a military medical facility and is expected to be debriefed to provide intelligence for follow-up operations.
Sources added that troops have continued combing surrounding forests in pursuit of the fleeing kidnappers, as efforts to dismantle criminal networks in the area intensify.
