Kogi Police Confirms Suicide Of Suspected Journalist Killer, Family Demands Justice And Recovery Of Body

The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the death of Jacob Adebayo Pelumi, the primary suspect in the murder of Lokoja-based photojournalist Mr. Ayobami Aiyepeku. According to police reports, Pelumi was found dead in a hotel room in Lokoja on Thursday morning in an apparent suicide.

Spokesperson of the command, SP William Ovye-Aya, disclosed in a press briefing that the suspect’s lifeless body was discovered by hotel staff who alerted authorities immediately. Upon investigation, a suicide note and a bottle of Sniper insecticide were found beside his bed.

“Pelumi’s body has been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death,” Ovye-Aya stated.

The police said the late journalist, Mr. Ayo Aiyepeku, was gruesomely murdered on Tuesday night inside an office located near the Government House/GRA axis of Lokoja. Investigations indicate Pelumi fled the scene shortly after the incident.

The Hilux vehicle allegedly used by the suspect to transport what is believed to be Aiyepeku’s body was recovered by the police, alongside a deep freezer found in the vehicle, both now in police custody.

However, as of the time of this report, the whereabouts of Aiyepeku’s body remain unknown.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, has directed that the case be taken over by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet and thorough investigation. The command has also called on members of the public to provide credible information to assist in unraveling the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

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Meanwhile, the family of the late journalist has made a passionate plea for justice and recovery of his body. Speaking on behalf of the family, Chief James Aiyepeku, the deceased’s father, described his son as “gentle, kind-hearted, and hardworking,” with no known history of conflict or disputes in his workplace in the past four years.

“This is not just a murder; it’s an assassination,” Chief Aiyepeku lamented. “We appeal to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the police, and security agencies to help us find his body and bring those responsible to justice.”

Also speaking, Mr. Timothy Aiyepeku, the elder brother, and Dr. Ibikunle Jide, the victim’s uncle, echoed the family’s grief, calling for expedited action to recover Ayobami’s remains and ensure justice is served.

Dr. Jide commended the police for their initial response but urged intensified efforts, stressing, “This case deserves more than just press statements; it demands full accountability.”

He also appreciated the media for the extensive coverage of the tragic development, which he said has helped to draw public attention to the case.

As the investigation deepens, many in the media community and civil society are watching closely, urging authorities to ensure transparency, justice, and closure for the grieving family and the public.