LOKOJA (CONVERSEER) – Retired Army Major Joe Ajayi who was abducted from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has reportedly died in captivity, despite the payment of a ₦10 million ransom by his family.
Ajayi was abducted on Wednesday, 21st May 2025, around 11:30pm by armed men who stormed his home and fired sporadically during the attack. The assailants initially demanded a ransom of ₦50 million, an amount the family found difficult to raise.
According to local sources, the retired officer’s health deteriorated while in captivity due to a lack of access to prescribed medication. The kidnappers allegedly told the family that delivering the necessary medication would attract additional costs, which they were unable to meet.
Eventually, when the abductors realised that Ajayi’s condition had worsened significantly, they reportedly slashed the ransom demand to ₦10 million. Believing that the retired Major was still alive, the family agreed to the reduced sum and paid the ransom.
However, after the payment, the kidnappers only directed the family to a location where they found Ajayi’s lifeless body.
“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,” Vanguard quoted a community source as saying.
The remains of the retired officer have since been deposited at the mortuary of Kabba Specialist Hospital.
