Abducted retired Army officer dies in captivity despite payment of ransom

Major Joe Ajayi (rtd), who was kidnapped from his residence in Odo-Ape in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State recently, reportedly died in the den of his abductors, despite the payment of N10 million ransom for his freedom.

The 76-year-old retired major from the Nigerian army was reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11.30pm by armed men after sporadic shooting.

It was learnt that barely 24 hours after his abduction, the gunmen put a call to his family, demanding the sum of N50m ransom for his release, which the family declined for want of funds.

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After a lingering negotiation, his abductors and the family settled for the sum of N10m for his freedom.

A source from the family noted that his abductors accepted N10m as soon as they discovered that the ex-army officer may not survive in their hands due to his deteriorating health.

“Our brother has been managing an ailment for which he has been on medication for years, since his retirement from the Nigerian army.

“We pleaded with his abductors for his medication to be forwarded to him, but they refused, saying that would attract additional cost.

“Unfortunately, when they discovered that our brother was at the point of death because of his ill health, they quickly accepted the sum of N10m ransom during the negotiation.

“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. It’s very sad indeed.”

Meanwhile, the remains of the retired military officer have been deposited in a mortuary in Kabba.

Kidnapping incidents have been on the rise in that part of the state recently.

A 94-year-old first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area, was abducted on the same axis recently.