A retired military officer, identified as Col. Ajanaku, was kidnapped in the early hours of January 5, 2025, from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.
The officer was abducted at about 12:45 a.m., prompting an immediate response from troops drawn from relevant security sectors. The soldiers trailed the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park, while search-and-rescue operations were intensified around caves and rocky high grounds believed to serve as criminal hideouts.
According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the abductors later contacted the victim’s wife and demanded a ransom of N200 million, threatening to kill the retired officer if rescue efforts were not stopped.
Despite the threats, security forces reportedly switched to covert operations, which 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 Local Government Area.
The rescued officer is said to be undergoing medical checks at a military medical facility and will be debriefed to provide intelligence for follow-up operations.
Sources further disclosed that troops have continued combing surrounding forests in pursuit of the fleeing kidnappers.