The Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to securing justice for the slain photojournalist, Mr. Ayo Aiyepeku, who was allegedly murdered under suspicious circumstances by a correctional service officer.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Lokoja, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the incident that has shocked the state.
“Justice may not bring the dead back to life, but it will console the family of the deceased that their son did not die in vain,” Fanwo stated.
He emphasized that the administration prioritizes the safety and security of every citizen, assuring the public that those responsible for the heinous act would be brought to book.
Ayo Aiyepeku, a 26-year-old indigene of Ekinrin Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area, was reportedly lured and killed by the suspect, identified as Adebayo Pelumi, an officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
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After days of intense search and growing public concern, Ayo’s decomposing body was found in a bush near the Crusher axis of Lokoja. Investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly fled with the body before both he and the remains were discovered.
The case took a shocking twist when Adebayo Pelumi was later found dead in a hotel room in Lokoja. Preliminary findings suggest he ingested a poisonous substance, with a handwritten note found at the scene.
Security operatives have recovered the suspect’s body, which has been deposited at the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja for further examination.
Authorities from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies are continuing their investigations into both the murder and the suspect’s sudden death.
Fanwo urged members of the public to remain vigilant and assist ongoing investigations by providing credible information to law enforcement agencies.