Nigerian Army Officer Killed by Kidnappers Over Delayed Ransom Payment

A Nigerian Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), Abdulfatai Odutola, has been killed by his kidnappers following a delay in the payment of a N20 million ransom demanded for his release. 

Odutola, who served with the 23 Brigade in Yola, Adamawa State, was abducted on February 15, 2025, while traveling along the Abuja-Jos highway.

According to reports, Odutola had left Ilorin on February 14 and spent the night in Abuja before continuing his journey to Yola the following day. It was during this leg of his trip that he was kidnapped. His abductors initially demanded a ransom of N20 million for his safe release.

A military internal memo detailed the incident, stating, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him. Currently, they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”

Tragically, another internal memo confirmed that Odutola’s body had been discovered in a forest near Jos after the kidnappers executed him for failing to meet their ransom deadline.

The memo read, “Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also, his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”

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