A 76-year-old retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, has tragically died in the custody of his abductors, despite his family reportedly paying a ransom to secure his release. The incident occurred in the Odo-Ape area of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Ajayi was forcefully taken from his residence on May 21, 2025, by gunmen who stormed the premises, firing sporadically before abducting him. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦50 million from his family.
Sources close to the family disclosed that Ajayi, who depended on daily medication for a pre-existing health condition, suffered a rapid decline in health during his captivity. The abductors later insisted on an additional payment to provide him with the necessary medicine—an extra demand the family could not immediately meet.
As his condition worsened, the ransom demand was reportedly reduced to ₦10 million, reigniting the family’s hope for his survival. However, after the ransom was paid and a location was provided for his release, family members instead found Ajayi’s lifeless body at the designated spot.
His remains have been deposited at the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.
Major Ajayi, beyond his distinguished military career, was widely respected for his service as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kabba-Bunu.
The incident has sparked renewed concern over the growing insecurity in the region, especially as reports also indicate that a prominent traditional ruler, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, was recently kidnapped in the same state.
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