A High Court in Nasarawa State has ordered the remand of Timilehin Ajayi, a self-proclaimed gospel singer, after being allegedly caught with the severed head of Salome Adaidu, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The remand order was announced via a brief statement shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Nasarawa State Police Command on Friday. The statement confirmed that Ajayi was arraigned in court and remanded in custody, pending his formal arraignment.
“Timilehin Ajayi was charged to court today and remanded in prison custody pending his formal arraignment,” the police statement read.
Earlier reports indicated that Ajayi was arrested on suspicion of killing and dismembering Adaidu for alleged ritual purposes. Witnesses claimed the singer was acting suspiciously near a river before throwing a bag into the water. Upon retrieval, the bag was found to contain the severed head of the victim.
Caleb Umaru, a Bible Study teacher at the church Ajayi attended, disclosed that a member of the congregation raised the alarm upon noticing Ajayi’s unusual behavior.
Ajayi reportedly confessed to committing the crime but expressed no remorse. He alleged that Adaidu, who he claimed was his girlfriend, was unfaithful to him, prompting his actions.
However, the victim’s family refuted Ajayi’s claims of a relationship, alleging that Adaidu was kidnapped and did not willingly visit the suspect.
The incident has drawn widespread outrage, with many demanding justice for the deceased.