Kidnappers kill retired Army Major in captivity after N10m ransom

A retired Army Major, Joe Ajayi, has been killed by his abductors after the payment of N10 million ransom by his family for his release.

Ajayi, 76, was kidnapped from his residence in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on May 21.

The Chairman and Secretary of Bunu Leaders Forum, Prof. Olu Obafemi and Dr Ade Abanida, respectively, confirmed the incident on Monday, June 9, 2025.

They revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million, which the family could not pay.

As a result, Ajayi’s health deteriorated due to lack of medication.

They said: “The kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N10 million after discovering that his condition was critical.

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“The family, who thought that he was still alive, quickly agreed and paid the ransom to the kidnappers.

“Thereafter, the kidnappers directed the family to where they could find him, but shockingly they only found his lifeless body.”

The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, also confirmed the incident.

Ovye-Aya disclosed that the remains of the retired Army Major had been recovered and deposited at the Kabba Specialist Hospital mortuary.

He however assured that the police would leave no stone unturned in unraveling those behind the dastardly act and arrest them as well as make them face the wrath of the law.

The Star