NYSC Official Detained Following Death of Female Corps Member

An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, is currently in police custody due to the death of a female corps member on Tuesday.

The corps member, Victoria Ariyo, was serving in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) and is believed to have died from complications related to pregnancy.

Reports indicate that she had undergone an abortion, which led to post- operative complications resulting in her death.

Ariyo was laid to rest at Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.

Her death came shortly after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, passed away under mysterious circumstances last month. Both women were reportedly friends and served in the same local government.

Mary was assigned to Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment, and she was found dead in her residence, close to the location of her assignment. The cause of her death remains unclear.

The second death on Tuesday, that of Ariyo, has been attributed to complications following an abortion. It is reported that Abass Olalekan, the Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, may have played a role in this matter.

Sources suggest that the LGI had a romantic relationship with Ariyo that led to her pregnancy and subsequent abortion.

A police source confirmed the arrest, stating, "This is regarding the circumstances of the corps member’s death. It raises concerns about the appropriateness of the relationship."

The police further confirmed that Olalekan is currently held at the command's headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, while clarifying that there is no link between Ariyo’s case and the previous death of Mary.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police spokesperson, confirmed the investigation into Ariyo's death is ongoing but did not address questions regarding the arrest of the NYSC official.

Babaseyi stated, "The investigation concerning the death of Victoria Ariyo is being conducted by the State Criminal Investigation Department."

Attempts to reach the NYSC spokesman in the state, Emmanuel Igba, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.