By Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Retired Major Joe Ajayi, who was killed in captivity despite the payment of a N10 million ransom to his abductors.
The retired military officer was kidnapped from his residence on May 21, 2025, and later found dead in the kidnappers’ den, sparking outrage and grief across the state.
During the condolence visit to Odo-Ape in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Governor Ododo expressed deep sorrow over the incident and reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicating insecurity.
He issued a stern warning to traditional rulers in the state to desist from allocating land or offering protection to criminal elements, stressing that such complicity contributes to insecurity.
“Any traditional ruler found aiding or abetting criminality, directly or indirectly, will face the full wrath of the law. This is the only way we can safeguard our communities,” he said.
Governor Ododo also cautioned politicians against trivialising security matters for political gain, adding that the safety and well-being of the people must remain a collective priority.
In a related development, the Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. Barr. Zacchaeus Dare, while inspecting security personnel, commended the governor for his proactive stance on security. He pledged the council’s support in hunting down the perpetrators of the crime and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.
“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure the killers of Major Ajayi are arrested and brought to justice,” Dare said.
It would be recalled that 26 suspected kidnappers were recently arrested in the Bunu Forest area of Kabba-Bunu through a joint operation by security agencies and the state government.
