A tragic incident unfolded in Lokoja, Kogi State, as Ayo Aiyepekun, a photojournalist with the online newspaper Inside Story, was brutally murdered by his neighbour on Tuesday evening.
According to eyewitness accounts, Ayo was called by the suspect, who resides in the same compound as the Inside Story office, to assist him with a poultry farm located nearby. An eyewitness, who was working with Ayo on video and photo editing at the time, recounted that the suspect summoned Ayo around 7:30 PM, unaware that others were present in the office.
Upon stepping outside, Ayo was reportedly attacked with an iron object, resulting in his death. The eyewitness described a horrifying scene, stating, “Immediately Ayo got out, the culprit hit him with an iron repeatedly and killed him there.”
The witness further detailed the suspect’s actions following the attack, claiming he saw the assailant attempting to conceal Ayo’s body in a deep freezer before loading it into his Hilux van. Alarmed, the eyewitness raised the alarm, prompting nearby residents and local vigilantes to respond.
“I called some people on the phone who mobilised the vigilante in the area, but before they arrived, the neighbour had already made away with the dead body,” the witness said. Despite a search conducted by the vigilantes, only blood stains were found in the freezer and around the poultry stall.
As the vigilantes were investigating, the suspect returned to the compound in his vehicle but fled upon seeing them. During the ensuing chase, his van was involved in an accident, and he escaped on foot.
The witness reported that the van showed signs of blood, raising concerns that the murder may have been motivated by ritualistic intentions.
The incident was reported to the Kogi State Police Headquarters in Lokoja on Wednesday. The suspect, identified as an employee of a correctional facility, reportedly has a history of domestic violence, with his wife having separated from him two months prior.
Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, confirmed the murder, noting that the police received the information late. He stated that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has been instructed to transfer the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation. As of now, no arrests have been made.
The shocking murder of Ayo Aiyepekun has sent ripples through the local community and the journalism profession, raising urgent questions about safety and security for media practitioners in the region.
