A retired military officer, Major Joe Ajayi, who was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has been found dead, despite his family reportedly paying a ₦10 million ransom to secure his release.
Ajayi was kidnapped around 11:30 pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, when gunmen stormed his home, firing sporadically before whisking him away to an unknown location. His captors initially demanded a ransom of ₦50 million, which the family could not afford.
Sources close to the family revealed that the retired officer’s health began to deteriorate in captivity due to a lack of access to his medication. Efforts by his relatives to send the drugs to him were met with further demands for additional payments by the kidnappers.
“The family pleaded with the kidnappers to allow them to send his drugs, but they insisted it would cost more money, which the family could not meet,” a community source explained.
The source added that as the abductors realized their victim was unlikely to survive, they slashed the ransom to ₦10 million. Believing that Ajayi was still alive, his family quickly mobilized and paid the reduced amount. However, the situation took a tragic turn.
“After they received the ₦10 million, the kidnappers directed the family to a location where they said he was being held. Sadly, they only found his lifeless body,” the source recounted.
The remains of the retired officer have since been deposited at the morgue of the Kabba Specialist Hospital.
The heartbreaking development has thrown the Odo-Ape community into mourning, sparking renewed concerns over the rising insecurity in Kogi State.
It would be recalled that in early May, another high-profile abduction occurred in the state when Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba of Okoloke in Yagba West LGA, was kidnapped from his residence. The monarch is still being held captive.
Governor Usman Ododo, while addressing Muslim faithful at the Eid ground during the Sallah celebration in Okene, acknowledged the growing insecurity but assured residents that his administration was working assiduously to root out criminal elements.
“We understand the pain and fear these incidents cause. I want to assure our people that we are intensifying our efforts to secure every corner of this state,” Governor Ododo stated.
