The High Court in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has condemned Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Salome Adaidu, a National Youth Service Corps member.
On Thursday, Justice Simon Aboki convicted Timileyin of culpable homicide for killing and dismembering the victim.
Timileyin was convicted of one count of culpable homicide, which is punishable by death under Section 221 of the Northern Nigeria Penal Code.
Timileyin was arrested in Orozo, a border community between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Nasarawa State.
Ajayi was found with a decapitated head in a black nylon bag during a church service on Sunday.
The incident is said to have occurred during a thanksgiving service marking the end of a seven-day fast at the church.
According to the church’s Bible Study Teacher and General Secretary, Caleb Umaru, the suspect’s actions were first noticed by a member, Victor, who saw Timileyin Ajayi moving suspiciously near a nearby river. Victor alerted another member, Amos, and they approached Ajayi, who was seated at the back of the church.
When he saw them, Ajayi threw a black bag into the river, claiming it contained nothing. His actions raised suspicion, and the church members kept a close watch on him.
“It was almost the end of service around 11am during the final pledge and prayers. A church member, Bro Victor, opened his eyes during prayers and saw someone passing by the river close to the church, carrying a bag, and his movement was suspicious. That drew his attention. He called the attention of another brother, Brother Amos,” Umaru explained.
Shortly after, two motorcyclists arrived at the scene, one of whom revealed he transported Ajayi from a neighbouring town, Loko-Tiye, and had noticed blood dripping from the bag.
The motorcyclists and church members confronted him, who initially denied wrongdoing but attempted to flee when asked to retrieve the bag. He was eventually caught after a long chase into a nearby bush.
“It took the grace of God for the four of them to be able to catch him. That’s why you can see the video happened in a bushy area, like a farm. He ran very far,” said Umaru.
When the bag was opened, it was found to contain the severed head of a young woman, later identified as Timileyin Ajayi’s girlfriend.
Timileyin Ajayi, reportedly injured during the confrontation, confessed to killing his girlfriend after a dispute over her phone. He claimed she attacked him with a knife, injuring his hand, and in retaliation, he stabbed her in the neck.
“He said he collected the knife and stabbed her in the neck,” Umaru said.
A viral video of the incident shows a policeman interrogating the culprit.
When asked why he was carrying the head, Ajayi alleged that “a woman” instructed him to bring it for her.
