The police command in Kogi says it has recovered the body of Ayo Aiyepeku, a photojournalist, allegedly murdered by his colleague, Oluwapelumi Adebayo.

The command’s spokesperson, Williams Ovye-Aya, disclosed on Monday in Lokoja.

Mr Ovye-Aya explained that Mr Aiyepeku’s corpse was found on Sunday evening at a location around the WAEC office, Crusher Zone 8 axis in Lokoja.

The command’s spokesperson said Mr Aiyepeku was gruesomely murdered by Mr  Adebayo on the night of Tuesday, July 22, in an office near the Government House/GRA area of Lokoja.

“Yes, the corpse of the photojournalist has been found. It was discovered on Sunday evening around the WAEC office, Zone 8 axis of Lokoja.

“The corpse has been deposited at Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.

“The discreet investigation will help us uncover what truly happened,” Mr Ovye-Aya said.

He appealed to the victim’s family, colleagues, and the public to provide credible information to aid the investigation.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s family has made a passionate appeal to police authorities and the Kogi government for justice.

Timothy Aiyepeku, the deceased’s elder brother, and his uncle, Ibikunle Jide, appealed for justice while speaking to journalists.

They pleaded with Governor Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to help unravel the mystery behind Mr Aiyepeku’s gruesome murder and punish the perpetrators.

“Now that the body has been found, we once again appeal to the federal and Kogi governments and police authorities to uncover the mystery behind the killing.

“We commend the police for their effort so far and the media for ensuring the incident receives wide coverage and public attention,” they added.

Mr Aiyepeku’s assailant had, after killing him, loaded his corpse into a deep freezer and disposed of it.

It was gathered that Mr Aiyepeku’s body was found by residents of the area who raised an alarm.

Residents were said to have been attracted to a nearby bush in the area by the foul odour from the decomposing body of the late photographer.

On sighting his corpse, residents alerted the chairman of Lokoja Local Government, Abdullahi Adamu, who immediately arrived at the spot in the company of some security agents to recover the body. 

(NAN)