The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the decomposing body of Ayo Aiyepeku, a photojournalist who was allegedly murdered by his colleague, Oluwapelumi Adebayo, in Lokoja.
The disturbing incident, which has shocked the local media and journalism community, is now the subject of an intensive police investigation.
The body of the slain journalist was discovered on Sunday evening, July 27, in a bushy area near the WAEC office in the Crusher Zone 8 axis of Lokoja, the state capital.
According to police authorities, residents alerted security personnel after noticing a foul odour emanating from the location.
Police spokesperson SP Williams Ovye-Aya confirmed the discovery in a statement on Monday, saying the corpse had been moved to the Kogi State Specialist Hospital mortuary for further examination.
“Yes, the corpse of the photojournalist has been found. It was discovered on Sunday evening somewhere around the WAEC office, Zone 8 axis of Lokoja,” Ovye-Aya told NAN.
“A discreet investigation is ongoing to unravel what truly happened.”
The police also confirmed that Aiyepeku was allegedly murdered by Oluwapelumi Adebayo on the night of Tuesday, July 22, inside an office near the Government House/GRA area of Lokoja.
READ ALSO: Photojournalist murdered in Lokoja, suspect on the run
After the killing, Adebayo reportedly stuffed the victim’s body into a deep freezer in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Sources revealed that the body was later disposed of in a nearby bush, where residents eventually discovered it following an unbearable stench that had filled the area for days.
Upon discovery, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Abdullahi Adamu, arrived at the scene along with security agents to ensure the safe recovery and transfer of the remains.
Following the grisly recovery, the family of the deceased has called for swift justice.
In a joint appeal, Timothy Aiyepeku, the elder brother of the deceased, and Ibikunle Jide, his uncle, urged the Kogi State Government, security agencies, and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure that the full truth is uncovered and those responsible are brought to justice.
“Now that the body has been found, we once again appeal to the Federal and Kogi governments and police authorities to uncover the mystery behind the killing,” they stated.
“We commend the police for their effort so far and the media for ensuring this tragic case received the attention it deserves.”
Police say a discreet investigation is underway to understand the full circumstances of the murder and determine the motive behind the act.
They have also appealed to the public, including friends and colleagues of the victim, to provide any credible information that could assist investigators in bringing closure to the case.
The Kogi State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to ensuring that justice is served and emphasized that no stone will be left unturned in getting to the root of the matter.
As the media fraternity mourns the loss of a fellow journalist, the gruesome nature of the murder has reignited concerns over safety in the profession and the growing threat posed by interpersonal violence, even within the same workplace.