Despite constitutional protection, Nigerian journalists have endured years of constant persecution, including beatings, harassments, attacks, and even killings, which have continued to put press freedom in the country under pressure. YEKINI JIMOH reports on the recent killing of a photojournalist, who was lured out of his newsroom, in Kogi State.

JULY 22, 2025 will forever be remembered as a dark day for the family of Master Ayo Aiyepekun, a promising photojournalist who was gruesomely murdered by a close friend and an officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP) Pelumi Adebayo.

Adebayo, who served in Kogi State Command of NCoS and hails from Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, where the deceased also hailed from.

When Sunday Tribune visited the parents of the late Ayo, Mr. and Mrs. James Kayode Aiyepekun, the atmosphere was one of deep pain and grief. They called on authorities to ensure justice is served.

Ayo was young, focused, and full of promise. Known for his humility and dedication, he was not only a beacon of hope for his family but also a role model for his generation. He was a refined photographer with an eye for excellence, calm by nature, and never boisterous.

The alleged killer, Adebayo, it was gathered, was an officer of the Kogi Command of NCoS until this incident. He is a native of Odo Akodi Compound, Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu LGA, and son of Deacon (Barr.) J.O. Adebayo and Deaconess J.O. Adebayo, both of whom are Lagos-based.

Although a uniformed officer by profession, Adebayo’s domestic life was allegedly riddled with violence. He had been separated from his partner, Laureen, due to suspected and repeated cases of abuse. Their poultry business, once co-owned, was allegedly mismanaged by Adebayo before he reportedly sold it off. The crime scene where Ayo breathed his last was said to be on a compound belonging to Adebayo’s estranged in-laws.

An eyewitness, currently assisting police investigations (names withheld), recounted that the incident took place at about 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday within the Inside Story office premises at GRA, Lokoja. The office shares a compound with the suspect’s former poultry farm.

“I was in the office with the victim editing videos and photos when Pelumi (Adebayo) called Ayo to help him at the poultry,” the witness said. “He didn’t know Ayo wasn’t alone in the office.”

The suspect allegedly ambushed Ayo once he stepped out, attacking him repeatedly with an iron rod.

After killing him, the witness said he saw Adebayo lift the body into a deep freezer before attempting to move it into his Hilux van. It was then that he raised the alarm. “I called some people who mobilised the local vigilantes, but before they arrived, Pelumi had already fled with the body.”

Only blood stains were found around the poultry stall, confirming the struggle.

“While we were still inspecting the scene with the vigilantes, Adebayo returned with his van. On sighting us, he reversed and sped off, but vigilantes gave him a chase. His vehicle eventually crashed, and he escaped on foot,” the witness added. “The van was stained with blood, and given that Ayo’s body was missing, we feared ritual motives.”

The case was formally reported to the Kogi State Police Headquarters the following day.

The member of the Kogi State House of Assembly representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, Hon. Jibril Abu, who later arrived at the scene after the witness’ SOS call alongside security operatives, narrated that, “As we approached, a distraught witness was crying and rolling on the ground, saying, “He took this boy… put him in the deep freezer in the Hilux… please help me… I know the perpetrator’s house,” Hon Abu narrated.

While the Chairman of Lokoja LGA, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, coordinated a situational briefing with security agents, a white Hilux van was spotted driving back from the Zenith Bank junction toward the compound.

“The witness alerted us again, saying, ‘That’s him! Stop him! He’s the one!”

But when confronted by the crowd, Adebayo jumped back into the van and sped off again.

Immediately, the Commander of the Kogi State Vigilante Service (KSVS), the LG chairman, vigilantes, and others gave chase across Lokoja, from Nataco to Zone 8, NTA Roundabout, and Paparanda.

“It wasn’t about being a lawmaker at that moment. Everyone mobilised in one mission to seek justice,” Abu added.

It was also gathered that the chase intensified along the Lokoja–Abuja expressway, where Adebayo’s van was hit in the rear by a truck. Following the accident, Adebayo jumped out and escaped into the thick bush near the banks of River Niger.

“It was already past 9:00 p.m. Despite the terrain and danger, security and civilian volunteers pressed on, but Adebayo had vanished.”

Sunday Tribune later learnt that DSP Adebayo, the suspected killer of Ayo, was found dead in a hotel in Lokoja on Thursday afternoon.

A hotel staff, who asked not to be named, said the suspect had checked in on Wednesday and was discovered lifeless around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday when a steward attempted to clean the room at checkout.

The hotel promptly alerted police, who confirmed the deceased was the man they had been searching for.

Confirming the development, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ayah, said Adebayo died by suicide and that his body has been deposited at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja. (Sunday Tribune)