The peaceful city of Lokoja, Kogi State, was thrown into shock and grief following the gruesome killing of a young photographer, Ayo Ayepekun, allegedly by a correctional officer identified as Oluwapelumi Adebayo.
The incident has triggered widespread concern and a swift manhunt by security operatives in the state capital.
According to sources in the Kogi State capital, Adebayo allegedly lured Ayo to his poultry farm under undisclosed pretenses.
He is alleged to have murdered the unsuspecting photographer, dismembered his body, stored the remains in a refrigerator, and attempted to dispose of them by transporting the body parts in a van.
The motive for the alleged killing remains unclear as investigations continue.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that Adebayo returned to the crime scene hours later, perhaps in an attempt to clean up evidence. However, his suspicious behavior did not go unnoticed as residents and members of a local vigilante group raised the alarm, prompting a swift response.
A high-speed pursuit ensued after the suspect tried to flee. The vigilante group reportedly shot at the tyres of his vehicle, causing it to crash. In the chaos, Adebayo managed to escape on foot and has since vanished, eluding both law enforcement and community search efforts.
The suspected killer, identified as a serving correctional officer, hails from Odo Akodi compound in Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
As of press time, the whereabouts of both the suspect and Ayo Ayepekun’s body remain unknown. Authorities are working against time to uncover the truth, while the family, friends, and members of the public demand answers and swift justice for the slain young man.
Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the matter was reported to the ‘A’ Division of the state command. “The matter was reported to the Divisional Police Officer on the killing of Ayo, which is a case of culpable homicide. The police immediately swung into action by going to the scene,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for discreet handling. “Efforts are ongoing to get the suspect who is currently at large. He will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly,” the PPRO added.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command has called on members of the public with credible information to come forward, assuring that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that justice is served and closure is brought to a grieving family and a traumatized community.
