Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the Kogi State Government and the Nigeria Police to conduct a thorough, impartial, and speedy investigation into the reported brutal killing of Mr. Ayo Aiyepekun, a photojournalist with an online newspaper, Inside Story, in the premises where the outlet operates in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, and ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice.
According to reports, Mr. Aiyepekun was allegedly killed on July 22, 2025 by a neighbour at about 7.30 pm.
Narrating what happened, the photojournalist’s colleague, who also works with Inside Story and who witnessed the killing, said they were in the office editing some video and photos, when the neighbour called Mr. Aiyepekun to help out on his poultry farm, which is also located inside the same compound.
He said the neighbour was apparently unaware that Mr Aiyepekun was not alone in the office and that as soon as the photojournalist stepped out of the office, the neighbour hit him repeatedly with a heavy metal and killed him. The neighbor thereafter, lifted the body into a deep freezer before moving it into his Hilux van.
Mr Aiyepekun’s colleague said at this point, he raised an alarm and called some people on the phone who mobilised the vigilante in the area, but before they arrived at the premises, the neighbour had made away with the body.
In an interview with Media Rights Monitor, MRA’s Deputy Executive Director, Mr Ayode Longe, noted that although it is still unclear whether the killing of Mr. Aiyepekun had anything to do with his work as a photojournalist, there was no doubt that he was killed in the course of carrying out his work. He stressed the need for a thorough investigation that would unravel all the circumstances and cause or causes of the murder. He also emphasised that with the reported suicide death of the perpetrator, the authorities should ensure that there are no differences in identity between the killer of the photojournalist and the person who allegedly committed suicide.
He said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and condemn the heinous act that led to the death of Mr Aiyepekun, an obviously hardworking and promising young photojournalist, carrying out his journalistic work peacefully and despite being busy, was still willing to help a neighbour whom he thought needed his assistance.”
According to him, “Attacks on journalists, whether by state or non-state actors, cannot be tolerated. We therefore urge the Police and other relevant security agencies to ensure a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Aiyepekun’s death as it is imperative that justice is served not only to provide closure for the family and colleagues of the deceased but also to send a clear signal that such acts of violence will not be condoned and will not go unpunished,” he added.
Mr. Longe further called on the Kogi State Government to provide support to the bereaved family and work with stakeholders in ensuring the safety and protection of journalists and other media professionals in the state.
