The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, July 22, in Lokoja, Kogi State, according to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama
By Opeyemi Ajayi
A Deputy Superintendent of the Nigerian Correctional Service (DSC), Adebayo Oluwapelumi, has allegedly murdered a 26 year-old photography apprentice, Ayo Ayipelum, and concealed his body in a freezer before taking his own life.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, July 22, in Lokoja, Kogi State, according to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the case came to light after Ujah Goodness, a photographer with a studio opposite the Kogi State Government House, reported the matter to authorities.
Goodness narrated that at about 7:50 p.m. on the day of the incident, he was editing photographs with his apprentice, Ayipelum, when Oluwapelumi arrived at the studio and called the young man outside for a conversation.
Moments later, Goodness heard his apprentice screaming for help. Fearing for his safety, he did not go outside but quickly contacted local vigilantes.
Investigations revealed that the correctional officer allegedly attacked and killed Ayipelum, placed his body inside a deep freezer, loaded it into a white unregistered Hilux van, and drove off to an unknown location.
Security personnel launched a search for the vehicle, which was later found abandoned near Nataco Junction in Lokoja.
Though the body was missing, investigators discovered bloodstains inside the freezer and recovered a machete believed to have been used in the attack. The vehicle and exhibits were taken to the station for forensic analysis.
Efforts to locate the suspect and recover the victim’s body were ongoing when authorities received a report from the management of Abidan 115 Guest Inn in Lokoja the following day.
At about 12:10 p.m., hotel staff discovered a lifeless body in one of the rooms. It was identified as that of the suspect, Adebayo Oluwapelumi.
Investigators found him naked and dead on the floor, with a suicide note, a bottle of Sniper insecticide, and a plastic Coca-Cola bottle at the scene, suggesting he ingested the toxic substance. His body was evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, where he was confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuary for post-mortem examination.
As of the time of this report, the whereabouts of Ayipelum’s body remain unknown.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to uncover the motive behind the killing and recover the missing corpse.
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