A chilling case of suspected ritual killing has sent shockwaves across Kogi State, following the gruesome murder of a young photographer, Mr. Ayo Aiyepeku, allegedly at the hands of his close colleague and friend, Mr. Adebayo Pelumi.
The tragic incident reportedly unfolded late Tuesday night at a photography studio located around the Government House/GRA axis of Lokoja, where both men worked in what many described as a cordial professional relationship—until it turned deadly.
The Kogi State Police Command has since launched a full-scale manhunt for Pelumi, who remains at large. Confirming the development, police spokesperson SP William Ovye-Aya described the attack as “brutal and cold-blooded,” adding that the force had intensified efforts to bring the suspect to justice.
“The incident, which reportedly happened on Tuesday, has been reported to us, and investigation has commenced in earnest,” Ovye-Aya stated. “We are calling on the public to avail the police with any useful information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect.”
What has stunned many is the horrifying nature of the crime. A source within the photography firm, who spoke under condition of anonymity, alleged that Pelumi struck Aiyepeku with a blunt object, rendering him unconscious, before dismembering his body and storing the parts in a freezer—actions that have fueled widespread speculation of ritual motives.
While police have not officially confirmed the motive, preliminary findings and the method of the killing have drawn eerie parallels to past ritual-related crimes.
The tragic case has sparked outrage online and within Lokoja’s creative community, with many expressing disbelief that such horror could emerge from within a trusted professional circle.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to comb suspected hideouts in and outside Kogi State, assuring the public that no stone will be left unturned.
As investigations continue, the state mourns a rising creative talent whose life was cut short in the most horrifying fashion, and the nation watches closely for justice to be served.