Retired Kogi Army Major Dies In Kidnappers’ Den After N10m Ransom Payment

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped at his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State, a few weeks ago, has died in the kidnappers’ den despite a ransom of N10 million paid for his release.

Major Ajayi was kidnapped on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from his residence around 11:30 pm by gunmen who shot sporadically.

It was gathered that the initial demands of N50 million ransom by his abductors lingered for long when the family could not pay; this resulted in his health deteriorating, as he had no means to get his medication.

It was gathered that the kidnappers informed the family that their plea for his medication to be forwarded to him would come at an extra cost, a concession that the family couldn’t meet.

However, as soon as the abductors discovered that Ajayi couldn’t survive, they reduced the ransom to ₦10 million.

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,”the source said.

The retired army officer’s remains have been deposited at Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

Kidnapping has surged in the state for a while now, with the abduction of a first-class monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Oba Okoloke in Yagba West local government area, who was in the same way abducted from his home in early May.

He’s yet to be released either.

However, the governor of the state, Ahmed Usman Ododo, speaking at the Eid ground last Sallah in Okene, appealed to residents to remain calm, as efforts to rid the state of criminal elements are already yielding positive results.