Retired Kogi Army Major dies at kidnappers den after N10m ransom payment
Retired Major Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State few weeks ago has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his rescue.
Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday May 21, 2025 from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.
Vanguard gathered that the initial demands of N50 million ransom by the abductors linger for long when family could not pay, this resulted into his health deteriorating as he has no means to his medication.
It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him will come at an extra cost; a concessions that couldn’t be met by the family.
However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to N10 million naira.
A source in the community said that the Ajayi’s family, believing he was still alive, quickly agreed to pay the ten million naira for his rescue.
“Once the ransom was paid, the kidnappers directed the family to where they will find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi) lifeless body.”
The retired army officer’s remains has been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.
Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local government area who was in same way abducted from his home in early May. He’s yet to be released either.
However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo,.speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene appealed to resident to remain calm as efforts to rid the criminal elements out of the state is already yielding positive interest.
Retired Joe Ajayi, 76 was once the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Kabba/Bunu Chapter
