The Aiyepeku family in Lokoja, Kogi State, has been thrown into another round of grief as Chief James Aiyepeku, father of murdered photojournalist Ayobami Aiyepeku, has died barely three weeks after his son’s killing.
Chief Aiyepeku reportedly suffered a stroke on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, a condition family members believe was triggered by the trauma and shock of his son’s brutal murder on July 22.
Speaking at the family home, the late journalist’s elder brother, Timothy Aiyepeku, described how their father’s health deteriorated after rushing to finalise arrangements for Ayobami’s burial.
“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 sick and was hospitalised,” Timothy recalled.
“Despite initial signs of recovery, my father’s condition worsened, and he eventually succumbed to his illness on Tuesday, August 12,” he said.
Timothy alleged that there may be more to his brother’s death, citing the disappearance of both Ayobami’s phone and that of the suspected killer, who reportedly took his own life.
“The family is urging the police to leave no stone unturned in their investigation, trusting that justice will be served,” he appealed. “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.”
He further expressed concern that the family had yet to receive any official update from the police on the progress of the investigation.
The spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, Williams Ovye-Aya, had earlier disclosed that Ayobami was allegedly murdered by his friend, Jacob Adebayo Oluwapelumi, in an office near the Government House/GRA area of Lokoja.
