Abubakar Siddiq Ibn Usman
Ayo Pelumi, the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a Kogi-based photojournalist, Ayo Aiyepeku, has been found dead in a hotel room in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Pelumi, who was reportedly a close friend of the victim, allegedly attacked Aiyepeku around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, smashing his head with an iron object, which left him unconscious. He then reportedly dismembered the victim’s body, loaded the remains into his Hilux van, and fled the scene.
Responding to a distress call from one of the victim’s colleagues, security operatives, including local vigilantes and sympathisers, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Upon Pelumi’s return a few hours later, the operatives attempted to stop him. They shot at the tyres of his vehicle as he tried to speed off, but he managed to escape.
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Two days later, on Thursday around 2:00 p.m., the police acting on intelligence stormed a hotel lodge where Pelumi had reportedly checked in on Wednesday. They discovered his lifeless body inside the room, alongside a bottle of Coca-Cola and a container of Sniper insecticide, raising strong suspicion of suicide.
A hotel staff member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Pelumi had lodged there on Wednesday afternoon and was found dead by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The management immediately alerted the police, who later confirmed his identity as the main suspect in Aiyepeku’s murder.
Pelumi’s body has since been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, as investigations continue.
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Rabiu M. Hamza
Agency News
