An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, is currently in police custody following the death of a female corps member, Victoria Ariyo, in Abeokuta.
Ariyo, who was serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA), reportedly died on Tuesday from complications linked to a terminated pregnancy.
Sources said the corps member allegedly underwent a pregnancy termination and later developed complications that led to her death.
She has since been buried at Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.
Her death comes barely a month after another corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under yet-to-be-explained circumstances in the same Abeokuta South LGA.
Mary, who was posted to Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), was reportedly found lifeless in her apartment, located close to her workplace.
A source disclosed that both deceased corps members were friends, saying that, “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.”
However, the second corps member who died on Tuesday was said to have died from complications arising from an abortion procedure.
It was noted that the NYSC official, who is the Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, Abass Olalekan was culpable in the process leading to the corps member’s death.
Sources claimed that the LGI was involved in a romantic relationship with the deceased, which eventually led to pregnancy, and it was the termination that led to her death.
The police source said the development 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, said there is no connection between the current incident and the one that occurred last month. “There’s no connection between this case and the other one (referring to Mary’s death) you mentioned.”
Police Spokesperson in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the death of Ariyo and said that the investigation was ongoing.
However, he failed to respond to questions on the arrest of the LGI and the alleged involvement.
Babaseyi said: “I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
In a statement by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the scheme described the death as tragic and extended condolences to the family of the deceased.
She said: “The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is deeply saddened by the loss of a Corps Member in Abeokuta, Ogun State, under circumstances that are currently being investigated. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and pray for the peaceful repose of her soul.
“The Scheme is aware of the news circulating in the media concerning the suspected involvement of a staff member. We wish to confirm that the matter is currently under investigation by relevant security agencies, and the individual concerned has been taken into custody.
“We wish to use this medium to reiterate that the NYSC maintains a strict code of conduct for its staff and Corps Members and will not condone any act of misconduct or abuse of office.
