Double tragedy as father of slain kogi photojournalist slumps, dies

It was a double tragedy for the family of Aiyepeku as the head of the family, James Aiyepeku, father of Ayobami Aiyepeku, a photo journalist, who was murdered on July 22, in Kogi State, has slumped and died.
Aiyepeku died on Tuesday, August 12,as a result of stroke, reportedly triggered by the shock of his son’s gruesome murder.
The son, Ayobami was murdered by his friend and a correctional officer, Oluwapelumi Tolani Adebayo, on July 22, for reasons yet unknown and his corpse was taken to unknown place.
The assailant was said to have later committed suicide after being declared wanted by the police, while the corpse of the slain photojournalist was recovered in a bish path.
Timothy Aiyepeku, elder brother to the late journalist told the newsmen at the family residence on Wednesday in Lokoja, that their father had been traumatised by Ayobami’s brutal killing.
“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,” he said.
Timothy emphasised that the family suspected a conspiracy in Ayobami’s death, citing the absence of his phone and the phone 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 would be served.
“We believe that the police can do the job; they should just put in the needed courage to see that justice is achieved for my brother, now death has taken another toll in the family” Timothy appealed.