The Aiyepeku family in Kogi State has been plunged into deeper grief following the death of Chief James Aiyepeku, father of murdered photojournalist, Ayobami Aiyepeku.
Chief Aiyepeku reportedly died of a stroke on Tuesday, August 12, just three weeks after his son was brutally killed in Lokoja on July 22.
According to his eldest son, Timothy Aiyepeku, the family believes the trauma of Ayobami’s murder directly led to their father’s death.
“He never recovered from the pain,” Timothy said in an interview.
“On August 6, after making arrangements for Ayobami’s burial, I returned home to find my father had collapsed. He was hospitalised, but his condition worsened until he passed.”
Timothy also raised concerns about unanswered questions in the case, noting that both Ayobami’s phone and that of the alleged killer remain missing.
“We suspect a conspiracy,” he said.
“We want the police to leave no stone unturned. We believe justice can be achieved if the right resources are committed to the investigation.”
The Kogi State Police Command had earlier identified Oluwapelumi Adebayo, a colleague of Ayobami, as the prime suspect. Police said Adebayo murdered the photojournalist inside an office in Lokoja before allegedly taking his own life the next day in a hotel room.
In less than a month, the Aiyepeku family has been forced to prepare two burials — that of a promising young journalist and his grieving father.
Despite their pain, the family said it is holding on to faith and trusting that justice will prevail.
“We believe law enforcement is working, and we wait for their updates. But beyond that, we trust God to avenge this cruel injustice,” Timothy added.