Kogi Police Confirm Death of Journalist Ayobami Aiyepeku, Launch Probe
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the body of photojournalist Ayobami Aiyepeku, allegedly killed by his neighbour, Oluwapelumi Adebayo.
Police spokesperson SP Williams Aya told reporters on Monday, July 28, that Aiyepeku’s decomposing body was found on Sunday evening, July 27, in a bush near the WAEC office in the Crusher Zone 8 area of Lokoja, the state capital.
“The corpse has been deposited at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital,” Aya said, adding that a discreet investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
Aiyepeku was reportedly murdered on the night of July 22 at an office located near the Government House/GRA area in Lokoja.
SP Aya appealed to members of the public, including the deceased’s family and colleagues, to come forward with any useful information that could aid the investigation.
The journalist’s elder brother, Timothy Aiyepeku, called on both the federal and Kogi State governments to ensure justice is served. “We commend the police for their efforts so far and thank the media for keeping this case in public focus,” he said.
The body was discovered after residents raised an alarm over a foul smell emanating from a nearby bush. The Chairman of Lokoja Local Government, Abdullahi Adamu, visited the scene alongside security personnel and confirmed the victim’s identity.
Earlier reports linked the killing to Jacob Adebayo Pelumi, a staff member of the Nigerian Correctional Service and Aiyepeku’s neighbour. He allegedly lured the journalist to his poultry farm, where he struck him on the head with a metal object and dismembered the body.
Pelumi was later found dead on Thursday, July 24, in a room at Abidan 115 Hotel in Lokoja. Witnesses at the scene said he died by suicide.
In response, the Kogi State Government ordered the immediate sealing of the hotel on Friday to preserve potential evidence and support a comprehensive investigation by the appropriate authorities.
