Army rescues abducted retired colonel in Plateau

The Nigerian Army has rescued a retired Colonel, identified as Ajanaku, who was abducted by gunmen in Rafiki community of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The rescue operation was carried out by troops of the Nigerian Army in the late hours of Monday evening, bringing an end to the officer’s captivity less than 24 hours after he was taken by his abductors.

Confirming the development, Aliyu Danja, a Lieutenant Colonel and the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3rd Division, said the retired senior officer was safely rescued and is currently receiving medical attention.

“I can confirm that the senior officer was rescued by our troops in the early hours of the evening. He’s currently taken to our medical facility for a medical check-up,” Danja stated.

Sources in Bassa Local Government Area disclosed that the retired military officer was abducted at about 12:45 a.m. on Monday from his residence located opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.

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The incident adds to growing concerns over the spate of kidnappings across the country, as the kidnapping industry has evolved into a multi-million-dollar enterprise and a hydra-headed security challenge the Nigerian state has battled for over a decade, with no clear end in sight.