Lokoja – The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the brutal killing of retired Army Major Joe Ajayi, even after his family paid a ransom of N10 million to secure his release.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said the 76-year-old officer was abducted from his home in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, on May 21.
His body has since been recovered and deposited at the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary, a fact confirmed by the Bunu Leaders Forum.
“The command will leave no stone unturned in unravelling those behind this dastardly act, arrest them, and ensure they face the full wrath of the law,” Ovye-Aya stated.
According to Prof. Olu Obafemi and Dr. Ade Abanida, Chairman and Secretary of the Bunu Leaders Forum, the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million.
The amount was later reduced to N10 million due to the family’s inability to meet the demand and the declining health of the retired officer.
“The family, who believed he was still alive, quickly paid the ransom. They were directed to a location where he was supposed to be released, but shockingly, they found only his lifeless body,” the forum leaders said.
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, condemned the act, calling it tragic and unacceptable.
“The whole of Kogi West is now under siege by kidnappers. People are afraid to leave their homes,” he lamented, expressing deep concern over the rising wave of insecurity in the district.
