A Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, has been tragically killed by kidnappers after a delay in ransom payment. Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway while on his way to Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
The kidnappers initially demanded N20 million for his release, but after the ransom deadline passed without payment, they reportedly killed Odutola. SaharaReporters had earlier obtained a military internal memo detailing the incident, which stated that Odutola was traveling from Ilorin and stopped in Abuja before continuing his journey when he was abducted.
The ransom demand was set at N20 million, and authorities had reportedly been informed of the situation in hopes of securing the officer’s release. However, another internal memo later revealed that Odutola’s body was found by police in a forest near Jos, with his car discovered nearby. His death was confirmed to be a result of the kidnappers’ actions after the ransom was not paid in time.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by military personnel and civilians alike in the country, as kidnappings for ransom continue to escalate.
In another recent report, Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists were responsible for an attack on a military base in Borno State, where three army personnel were killed. The terrorists carried out a prolonged assault, destroying buildings and stealing military vehicles. Despite the violence, army authorities have remained silent on the attack.