Suspected Killer of Kogi Photojournalist Commits Suicide in Hotel Room

Ayo Pelumi, the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a photojournalist in Kogi State, has reportedly taken his own life, two days after allegedly killing his friend, Ayo Aiyepeku.

The incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, sent shockwaves through the community. Pelumi was said to have struck the victim on the head with an iron object, rendering him unconscious, before proceeding to dismember his body.

Sources revealed that after the act, the suspect packed the dismembered remains into his Hilux van and drove off to an unknown location. He later returned to the scene, only to find that security operatives—including local vigilantes and sympathisers—had arrived following a distress call from one of the victim’s colleagues.

In a bid to flee again, security personnel reportedly shot at the tyres of his vehicle, but Pelumi managed to escape the scene.

By 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, police operatives acting on a tip-off traced the suspect to a lodge in Lokoja, where they discovered his lifeless body. A bottle of Coca-Cola and a container of Sniper, a toxic pesticide, were reportedly found beside him in the room.

A hotel staff member, who asked not to be named, confirmed that Pelumi had checked into the lodge on Wednesday afternoon but was found dead by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The hotel management immediately alerted authorities, who later identified him as the suspect wanted for the murder of Ayobami.

The police have since evacuated Pelumi’s body and deposited it at the Federal Teaching Hospital Mortuary, Lokoja, as investigations into the tragic events continue.