A young photojournalist, Aiyepeku Ayo, has been gruesomely murdered in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, throwing residents into mourning on Tuesday night.

The tragic incident occurred at GRA Lokoja, where the suspect, identified as Adebayo Pelumi, a neighbour who is a staff of the Nigerian correctional centre, residing in the same compound as the deceased, allegedly committed the act.

Eye witness account

A source who spoke to the reporters under the condition of anonymity disclosed that Ayo was in his office editing videos and photos when Pelumi invited him to assist at his poultry farm located within the compound.

‎“It was around 7:30pm when the suspect called him, but he didn’t know that Ayo was not the only person in the office. Immediately Ayo get out, Adebayo hit him with iron repeatedly and killed him there,” the source said.

According to the source, the suspect then dismembered Ayo’s body, placed the remains inside a freezer he had brought, and attempted to conceal the crime.

Upon realizing someone else was present in the compound, he allegedly locked the eyewitness inside a room upstairs before fleeing the scene with the freezer in his vehicle.

The eyewitness, after the suspect had departed, managed to alert local vigilantes who responded swiftly and rescued him. Security operatives were also notified immediately.

Reports indicate that the suspect, upon returning toward the compound and noticing the presence of the vigilantes, panicked and sped off in the direction of Nataco Junction.

A pursuit ensued, during which a shot was fired and another vehicle rammed into his from behind. He subsequently abandoned his vehicle and escaped into nearby bushes.

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“The police later recovered the vehicle and the freezer, but the freezer was empty. He had either disposed of the body or handed it to an accomplice,” the source added.

The suspect is said to be from Odo Akodi compound, Ekinrin-Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Police confirmation

Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said: “The matter was reported to the Divisional Police Officer, A Division on the killing of Ayo which is culpable homicide. After they lodged the complaint, the Police swung into action by going to the scene. Investigation has commenced.

“The Commissioner of Police CP Miller Dantawaye has given the DPO a directive to transfer the matter to State CID because they are the one handling matters concerning homicide for discrete investigation. Efforts is ongoing to get the suspect who is currently at large. He will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly,” he stated.