The Kogi State Police Command has recovered the decomposing body of photojournalist Ayo Aiyepeku, who was allegedly murdered by a Nigeria Correctional Service officer, Oluwapelumi Adebayo, in Lokoja last week.
Confirming the incident, the Command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, said the corpse was discovered Sunday evening in a bush at Zone 8, near the JAMB office in Lokoja, after residents alerted authorities to a disturbing odour emanating from the area.
“The body has been deposited at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital morgue,” Aya stated. “A discreet and thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover the truth behind the tragic killing.”
He urged members of the public, the media community, and the victim’s family to assist the police with credible information that could aid the investigation.
Reacting to the gruesome murder, Governor Usman Ododo has assured the family of the late journalist that justice will be served. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, the governor directed all relevant security agencies to expedite a comprehensive probe into the incident.
“No stone will be left unturned in the quest for justice. Those behind this heinous act must face the full wrath of the law,” the statement read.
The government also confirmed that the death of the key suspect, Adebayo, is now part of the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in uncovering the full truth.
Speaking on behalf of the grieving family, Ayo’s elder brother, Timothy Aiyepeku, and his uncle, Ibikunle Jide, pleaded with the Kogi State Government and the Nigeria Police to unravel the mystery surrounding the murder and ensure that all involved are held accountable.
Late Ayobami Aiyepeku, a respected photojournalist, was reportedly killed last Tuesday night by Adebayo in an office near the Kogi Government House. According to reports, the suspect placed the victim’s body in a deep freezer before later disposing of it in a remote area.
The motive for the crime remains unclear, and with the suspect now deceased, investigators are working to piece together the events that led to the chilling murder.
