Kehinde Fajobi
Father of gospel singer Timileyin Ajayi who was arrested for allegedly murdering his ‘girlfriend,’ Salome Adaidu, has made a public plea to the Nigerian government, asking for leniency in the case.
This marks the first statement from the family since the incident, which has drawn significant public attention.
Ajayi, 32, was apprehended in Agwan Sarki Orozo, Nasarawa State, while allegedly trying to dispose of the severed head of 24-year-old Adaidu, a Youth Corps member.
The family has been devastated by the incident, and during a Monday interview on Channels TV, Mr Ajayi’s father pleaded, “I want the government to help me; let them settle the matter. I plead. Help me beg the people; let them leave him (Timileyhin Ajayi).”
The family, who reside in the same Orozo community, clarified that Ajayi had not been disowned and was not considered an outcast.
While his father sought leniency, his mother took a more resigned stance, saying, “Today, if it was one of my daughters, they did that (gruesome murder) to. How do I feel? So I don’t know- Anything the government wants to do (with the case) is in their hands.”
The Nigerian police confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and the Nasarawa State Government has assured that justice will prevail.
In a disturbing revelation, the victim’s elder sister, Esther Adaidu, described chilling findings at Ajayi’s residence, recounting, “When we went into his house-if you see the pool of blood in his toilet! If you see the table-he put a bench inside his room…
“He had tomatoes in his room-plenty of tomatoes… Merely looking at that guy, he seems like someone who eats human flesh.”
She added, “My only concern is that the guy (Timileyin Ajayi) will not go scot-free. He can never go unpunished. He killed my sister (Salome Adaidu Eleojo), so they should kill him. He killed her for us for no reason.”
Authorities have confirmed that Ajayi was arrested on January 12 after a motorcyclist transporting him noticed blood dripping from his luggage.
The rider raised an alarm, and the community attempted a mob attack, which the police intervened to prevent. Ajayi sustained injuries and was treated at a hospital.
Upon his arrest, Ajayi admitted to killing Adaidu, claiming their relationship was complicated and that he found messages indicating her infidelity.
He said he attacked her in his bathroom after a confrontation, using a knife despite her apologies. Ajayi also claimed he had no regrets and turned himself in to the community, who subsequently handed him over to the police.
However, Adaidu’s family denied Ajayi’s claims, asserting that there was no relationship between the two and alleging that she was kidnapped.
Ajayi remains in police custody pending further legal proceedings, and authorities have assured the public that justice will be served.