The family of slain photojournalist, Mr. Ayobami Aiyepeku, has called on the Federal Government, the Kogi State Government, and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure justice is served following the brutal killing of their son and the mysterious circumstances surrounding the case.
Ayobami was reportedly killed on Tuesday by a friend and officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jacob Adebayo Pelumi, who later allegedly committed suicide.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed that Pelumi’s lifeless body was discovered in a hotel room alongside a suicide note and a bottle of Sniper insecticide. The suspect had reportedly fled with Ayobami’s body after the incident, which occurred between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., leaving the family in anguish.
Despite the police launching an investigation and recovering a Hilux vehicle and a deep freezer allegedly used by the suspect, Ayobami’s body is yet to be found.
Speaking to journalists in Lokoja, the late journalist’s father, Chief James Aiyepeku, described his son as a peaceful, hard-working young man who had never been involved in any dispute throughout his four-year career.
“Ayobami is a very gentle boy — cool-headed and dedicated. I am appealing to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the police, and other security agencies to help us recover his body and bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice,” he said.
Also speaking, Ayobami’s elder brother, Mr. Timothy Aiyepeku, expressed deep sorrow over the unresolved circumstances of his brother’s death, noting that the family had yet to see his remains.
“As I speak, the body of my younger brother is still missing. We are devastated. He was kind, humble, and hardworking. We demand justice and full disclosure of what happened,” Timothy said, urging the Inspector General of Police to intervene.
Dr. Ibikunle Jide, the deceased’s uncle, commended the police for their prompt response but stressed the need for intensified efforts to recover the body and prosecute all individuals involved.
“Every hand must be on deck. Beyond police efforts, government at all levels must be proactive in seeing that justice is done. We also appreciate the media for ensuring this case remains in the public eye,” he said.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet handling. The police have called for cooperation from the public, friends, and colleagues of the deceased to provide any credible information that may assist in locating Ayobami’s body and uncovering the full details of the crime.
Meanwhile, the Aiyepeku family continues to mourn their son while clinging to hope for closure and justice.
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