A 76 year old retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped from his home in Odo-Ape, in Kabba-Bunu local government area of Kogi State a few weeks ago, had died in captivity.
Report reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that Ajayi’s lifeless body was found by his family after paying a ransom of ₦10 million for his release.
The kidnappers abducted Major Ajayi from his house on May 21, 2025, at about 11:30 pm after firing several gun shots indiscriminately.
It was learnt that the initial ransom demand of ₦50 million by the kidnappers persisted for an extended period as the family was unable to make up the amount, even as their captor relapsed into health challenge with no access to necessary medication.
It was also reported that the kidnappers communicated to the family that their request for his medication to be sent to him would incur an additional charge, a concession that the family could not afford.
It was learnt that when the kidnappers realised that Ajayi’s health condition was deteriorating, they lowered the ransom to ₦10 million naira.
A source hinted that Ajayi family, under the impression that he was still alive, promptly consented to pay the reduced amount of ten million naira for his release.
“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 remains of the retired army officer have been deposited in the mortuary of Kabba Specialist Hospital.
Source: Vanguard.
