Man accused of killing journalist takes own life in Kogi
The man suspected of brutally killing a photo journalist in Lokoja, Kogi State, has taken own life, just two days after the alleged murder.
The suspect, Adebayo Pelumi, reportedly took his own life in a hotel room in Lokoja, where he had checked in on Wednesday afternoon.
His body was discovered around 1 p.m. on Thursday by a hotel steward who had gone to clean the room after checkout time.
Confirming the development, a staff member of the hotel, who asked not to be named, said:
“He looked very calm when he arrived, nothing unusual. We had no idea he was a fugitive.”
Once notified, the hotel management alerted the police, who arrived at the scene and confirmed Pelumi was the prime suspect in the murder of Ayo Aiyepekun, a photo journalist with Inside Story, a local media platform in Lokoja.
The police transported the body to the mortuary at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja.
Pelumi had been the subject of a manhunt following the gruesome killing of Aiyepekun on Tuesday, July 22.
The victim’s family had earlier appealed to the Kogi State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure justice was served.
According to an eyewitness who works with Inside Story, the incident unfolded around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
“We were editing videos and photos in the office when Adebayo called Ayo to assist him at his poultry farm. The farm is within the same compound where they both live,” the eyewitness recounted.
“Ayo stepped out to meet him, but what we didn’t know was that Adebayo had planned an attack. The moment Ayo got to him, he hit him repeatedly with an iron.”
The witness said he then saw Pelumi lift Ayo’s lifeless body into a deep freezer before attempting to move it into a Hilux van.
“That was when I knew something was terribly wrong and started shouting for help,” he added.
The police is yet to make formal comment on the alleged suicide.
Man accused of killing journalist takes own life in Kogi
