Colonel Ajanaku, a retired senior military officer, was kidnapped at 12:45 a.m. on January 5, 2026, when armed men stormed his home opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA. The kidnappers demanded a N200 million ransom from his family and threatened to kill him.

Nigerian Army troops were immediately mobilised and tracked the kidnappers through the Wildlife Park, focusing on caves and rocky hideouts. Security forces used covert operations, successfully rescuing Colonel Ajanaku at 5:30 p.m. the same day near Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA.

The rescued officer is currently undergoing medical checks at a military facility and is expected to provide intelligence to assist in further operations. Troops continue to comb the surrounding forests for the fleeing suspects.