An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, is now in police custody following the death of a female corps member on Tuesday.
The deceased, Victoria Ariyo, who served under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of the NYSC, reportedly died from pregnancy-related complications.
Reports indicate that Ariyo had terminated her pregnancy and later died from complications connected to the procedure.
Her body was laid to rest at Kobape Cemetery along Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.
Daily Trust notes that Ariyo’s death comes less than a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under what has been described as mysterious circumstances.
Mary, also serving under Abeokuta South LGA, was posted to Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
A source said that the two deceased corps members were friends.
“The first lady died at her residence, which is not far from her PPA. They found her lifeless body in the apartment and, up till now, nobody can tell the cause of her death,” the source said.
The second corps member, Ariyo, was reported to have died from complications after an abortion.
It was alleged that the NYSC official, Abass Olalekan, who serves as Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, played a role in the events leading to her death.
Sources claimed the LGI was romantically involved with Ariyo, which reportedly led to her pregnancy, and that it was the termination that caused her death.
“That is the fact in issue,” a police source confirmed on Thursday.
The source added that the case raises questions about the legality of romancing “someone that should be in your care.”
Confirming Olalekan’s arrest, the source said, “He is in our custody at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.”
The police source, however, clarified there is no link between Ariyo’s death and Mary’s death last month.
“There’s no connection between this case and the other one (referring to Mary’s death) you mentioned,” he said.
DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the state police spokesperson, confirmed Ariyo’s death and said the investigation is ongoing.
He did not comment on the LGI’s arrest or his alleged involvement.
“I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi said in a brief statement.
