Joe Ajayi, a 76-year-old retired Army Major, passed away while in the hands of his captors, even though his family paid a substantial sum of money to secure his release.

OHAFIATV learnt that on May 21, 2025, Major Ajayi was kidnapped from his home in Odo-Ape, which is located in the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.

According to reports, armed attackers broke into his house, opened fire randomly, and then swept him off. At first, the kidnappers sought N50 million in ransom.

The rejection of Major Ajayi’s necessary drugs apparently caused his health to rapidly deteriorate. The family was unable to provide the extra money the kidnappers demanded for his medication.

The family was given new hope that his life might still be saved when the captors finally reduced their demand to N10 million as his condition deteriorated.

His lifeless body was discovered on the floor after the ransom was paid and the family was led to a place where they were promised his release. Since then, his remains have been moved to Kabba Specialist Hospital’s mortuary.

In addition to his military career, Major Ajayi was well-known for his leadership as the Chairman of the Kabba-Bunu Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

According to reports, Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, a distinguished traditional leader, was also abducted lately in the state.