Timilehin Ajayi, a gospel singer from Nasarawa State, has been remanded in prison after being found in possession of the severed head of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member. The case has shocked the community, prompting an immediate investigation into the gruesome discovery. A statement from the Nasarawa State Police Command, posted on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that Ajayi had been charged and remanded pending his formal arraignment.
According to the police statement, the disturbing incident came to light when Caleb Umaru, a Bible Study Teacher and General Secretary at Ajayi’s church, reported that a church member had seen Ajayi acting suspiciously near a river. The member alerted others when Ajayi was seen disposing of a bag into the river, which was later retrieved and found to contain the severed head of Adaidu.
Upon questioning, Ajayi admitted to the crime, claiming that he had killed Adaidu after discovering that she was cheating on him. However, the deceased’s family quickly refuted his claims, asserting that Adaidu was never in a romantic relationship with Ajayi. They stated that she had been kidnapped and was not visiting him, as had been suggested by earlier reports.
The tragic incident has sparked outrage, with many expressing disbelief at the violent nature of the crime. Social media reactions have been flooded with calls for justice, and there is growing concern over the possibility of external interference. Some commenters have even suggested that Ajayi may have connections to influential figures, raising fears that he could evade justice. One commenter wrote, “Kill him in Nasarawa. Don’t let his people in power smuggle him to Abuja and down to Lagos.”
Further investigations into the case are ongoing as police work to establish a clear motive behind the brutal killing. Despite Ajayi’s confession, the conflicting reports from his side and the victim’s family have raised questions about the full circumstances surrounding Adaidu’s death. The police have vowed to thoroughly investigate the matter to ensure that justice is served.
This incident has also ignited public discussion about the safety of young women in the country, particularly those who are far from home as part of the NYSC program. Adaidu’s tragic death has left many in the community shaken and prompted calls for better protection of students and corps members across Nigeria.
As the case progresses, the public eagerly awaits the next steps in the legal process and hopes that those responsible for Adaidu’s death will be held accountable for their actions.
