Unidentified gunmen have kidnapped a 76-year-old retired Major of the Nigerian Army, Pastor Joe Ajayi, from his residence in Odo-Ape, located within the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident happened late Wednesday night around 11:30 p.m., leaving residents in fear and distress.
Ajayi, who once served as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Kabba-Bunu chapter, was reportedly taken by force after armed men stormed the area. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers fired gunshots for over an hour before seizing the elderly man and escaping with him to an unknown location.
Locals who witnessed the attack said the gunmen seemed highly coordinated and operated without any immediate resistance. One resident shared that, “the sound of gunfire lasted for a long time and no help came. Everyone stayed indoors out of fear.”
The abduction has caused widespread concern among residents of the area, especially due to Ajayi’s age and fragile health. Community members are particularly worried that the retired Major may not survive the harsh conditions of captivity without access to his medications or proper care.
This latest kidnapping comes on the heels of growing unrest in Okunland. The Okun Development Association (ODA) recently raised the alarm over escalating insecurity across the region. The group had earlier warned that criminal activity, especially abductions, was on the rise and called on both federal and state authorities to act swiftly.
The ODA also mentioned the kidnapping of a first-class traditional ruler in Okoloke, Yagba West Local Government Area. That incident, too, had shaken the community and sparked public outcry over the lack of effective security presence.
Ajayi’s abduction adds to a string of recent incidents. Earlier in the year, a local council member was kidnapped from his home. Not long after, three individuals and a child were taken from a farm nearby. These repeated crimes have only deepened fear among residents.
