THE Kogi State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a photojournalist accused of killing his colleague, Mr. Ayo Aiyepeku, in what authorities have described as a brutal and cold-blooded attack.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night at an office around the Government House/GRA axis of Lokoja, where both the victim and the suspect worked as photographers in an unnamed firm.
Confirming the incident to this newspaper, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Ovye-Aya, said the matter was reported in the early hours of July 23.
“The incident, which reportedly happened on Tuesday, has been reported to us, and investigation has commenced in earnest,” Ovye-Aya said. “We are on the trail of the suspected killer of the victim to bring him to book.
“It’s a very sad and unfortunate incident, given the way and manner the victim (Aiyepeku) was killed.
“We are calling on the public to avail the police with any information about the whereabouts of the suspect, who is currently on the run.”
He identified the suspect as Mr. Adebayo Pelumi, said to be a close friend and colleague of the deceased.
A source within the organization, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, said the two men were known to share a professional relationship
According to the source, Adebayo allegedly struck Aiyepeku on the head with a blunt object, rendering him unconscious, before proceeding to dismember the body and store the parts in a freezer.
The police have yet to confirm the motive, but preliminary reports suggest the attack may be linked to ritual practices.
