By Boluwatife Gbede
The police in Ogun State have arrested an official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), identified as Abass Olalekan, over the death of a female corps member, Victoria Ariyo.
Ariyo, who was serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, reportedly died on Tuesday following complications related to a terminated pregnancy.
Sources told Daily Trust that the deceased had undergone a procedure which later resulted in complications leading to her death.
She was subsequently buried at Kobape Cemetery along Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.
The incident comes barely one month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, also serving in Abeokuta South, died under circumstances described as unclear.
Mary, who was attached to Ogun State Television as her place of primary assignment, was reportedly found dead in her residence.
A source familiar with the incidents said both deceased corps members were acquaintances.
“The first corps member was found lifeless in her apartment, and the cause of her death has not been established,” the source said.
In the latest case, police sources alleged that the arrested NYSC official, who serves as the Local Government Inspector for Abeokuta South, was involved in a personal relationship with Ariyo, which reportedly resulted in the pregnancy.
The sources further claimed that the pregnancy was terminated, leading to complications that caused her death.
Confirming the arrest, a police source said Olalekan is currently in custody at the state police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
“He is in our custody as investigations continue. The matter raises serious concerns, particularly regarding the relationship between an official and a corps member under his supervision,” the source said.
The police, however, stated that there is no link between Ariyo’s death and the earlier incident involving Adeleye.
“There is no connection between the two cases,” the source added.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed that the case is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.
“I can confirm that the case of the death of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation,” he said.