Suspect in the Killing of Photojournalist Ayo Aiyepekun Commits Suicide in Lokoja, Kogi State

In a tragic turn of events, Adebayo Pelumi, the man accused of murdering photojournalist Ayo Aiyepekun in Lokoja, Kogi State, has reportedly taken his own life. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and media circles.

According to reports from LIB and confirmed by The Guardian, Adebayo Pelumi, who is also a photographer, allegedly murdered Ayo Aiyepekun on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The suspect was found dead on Thursday morning in a hotel room in Lokoja. A hotel staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed that Adebayo checked into the hotel on Wednesday afternoon and was discovered deceased around 1 pm when hotel staff proceeded to clean the room at check-out time.

 

“Beat the Pressure: A Comprehensive Guide to Lowering Blood Pressure Naturally.”

Buy book from Gumroad or Paystack

Upon discovering the body, hotel management swiftly alerted the police. Authorities identified the deceased as the prime suspect in the murder case they had been actively investigating. Notably, a bottle of Coca-Cola and a sniper rifle were found in the hotel room, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The police transported Adebayo Pelumi’s remains to the mortuary at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Lokoja, where the body was deposited pending further investigation.

Eyewitness accounts from a colleague at InsideStory online media provided chilling details of the murder. The witness recounted that he was in the office with Ayo, engaged in video and photo editing work, when the suspect called Ayo to assist him at his poultry farm located within the same compound. It was around 8:30 pm when the call was made, but the caller was unaware that Ayo was not alone in the office at the time.

Tragically, as soon as Ayo stepped out to meet Adebayo, he was violently struck with an iron object repeatedly, resulting in his death at the scene. The eyewitness further revealed that the suspect then loaded Ayo’s body into a deep freezer before attempting to transport it in his Hilux van. This alarming action prompted the witness to raise an alarm.

The eyewitness described mobilizing local vigilantes after the neighbor had already taken the body away. Despite a thorough search of the area, only bloodstains were found in the freezer and around the poultry stall. During the vigilantes’ presence, the suspect returned in his van but fled upon seeing them. A chase ensued, during which the suspect’s van crashed, and he escaped on foot. The van was reportedly stained with human blood.

The community expressed fears that ritualistic motives might have been involved in the murder, given the manner in which the body was handled and the subsequent disappearance of the corpse.

The case was officially reported to the State Police Headquarters in Lokoja on Wednesday. Further investigations revealed that the suspect’s wife had separated from him two months prior, citing constant domestic violence as the reason.

This tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by journalists and photojournalists in volatile environments and raises urgent questions about safety, domestic violence, and community security in Lokoja. Authorities continue to investigate the case, while the local community mourns the loss of Ayo Aiyepekun, a dedicated photojournalist whose life was cut short in a brutal crime.

 

💔 “She said she loved me. And for fifty-two years, I believed her.” 💔

Buy The Book "The Longest Lie: A Husband’s Journey Through Love, Betrayal, and Redemption" From Gumroad