A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was k!dnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State, few weeks ago, has d!ed in the kidnappers’ den despite payment of N10 million ransom for his release.
The retired military chief was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30pm by gunmen who shot sporadically in the air before whisking him away to an undisclosed area.
It was gathered that the initial demands of N50 million ransom by his abductors lingered for long as the family couldn’t raise the ransom demanded. This led to his health deteriorating as he had no means of getting medication.
The kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be sent to him will come at an extra cost, which the family could not meet. However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi could not survive his ordeal, the kidnappers reduced the ransom to N10 million naira.
A source in the community said that the Ajayi 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 would find him, only for them to meet his (Ajayi’s) lifeless body.”he said
The retired army officer’s remains have been deposited at the morgue of the Kabba Specialist Hospital.
