By Muhammad Mamman
Ayo Pelumi, the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Inside Story photojournalist Ayo Aiyepeku in Lokoja, was found dead in a hotel room on Thursday, in what police suspect was a suicide. Pelumi’s body was discovered at 1 p.m. with a bottle of Coca-Cola and suspected pesticide nearby, suggesting he took his own life.
Aiyepeku was allegedly lured to Pelumi’s poultry farm on Tuesday evening, where he was struck on the head with an iron object, dismembered, and partially loaded into Pelumi’s van. A witness raised the alarm, but Pelumi fled despite security firing at his vehicle. Aiyepeku’s family had demanded justice before Pelumi’s death.
The body of Pelumi, Aiyepeku’s neighbour, was taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital mortuary. Kogi police have yet to comment officially.
