James Aiyepeku, father of murdered photojournalist, Ayobami Aiyepeku, has died barely three weeks after his son’s gruesome killing in Kogi State.
Naijaonpoint learnt that Aiyepeku passed away on Tuesday, August 12, reportedly from a stroke brought on by the shock of his son’s death on July 22.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria at the family residence in Lokoja on Wednesday, the late journalist’s elder brother, Timothy Aiyepeku, said their father was deeply traumatised by Ayobami’s murder.
Timothy recounted, “On Wednesday, August 6, after rushing out to complete the necessary arrangements towards the release of Ayobami’s corpse for burial, I returned home to the news that my father had fallen and was hospitalised.
“Despite initial signs of recovery, my father’s condition worsened, and he eventually succumbed to his illness on Tuesday, August 12.”
Timothy alleged that the circumstances surrounding Ayobami’s death remained suspicious, particularly the disappearance of his phone and that of the suspected killer, who allegedly took his own life.
He said, “The family is urging the police to leave no stone unturned in their investigation, trusting that justice will be served.
“We believe that the police can do the job; they should just put in the needed resources to see that justice is achieved for my brother.”
Despite their loss, the Aiyepeku family says they are holding onto their faith.
Timothy stated, “We remain hopeful that the authorities will uncover the truth behind Ayobami’s murder. We believe that they are doing what is required of them to ensure justice for my late brother.”
The Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Williams Ovye-Aya, had earlier identified one Oluwapelumi Adebayo, a colleague of Ayobami, as the prime suspect in the killing.
Ovye-Aya alleged that Oluwapelumi murdered Ayobami on July 22 in an office at GRA, near the Government House, Lokoja. He said the suspect was later found dead in a hotel room in Lokoja on July 23, just hours after a manhunt was launched for him.
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