NYSC official arrested over female corps member’s death

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 on Tuesday.
The corps member, Victoria Ariyo, who was serving under the Abeokuta South Local Government Area (LGA) of the NYSC, reportedly died from pregnancy-related complications.

It was gathered that the corps member had terminated her pregnancy and died from complications that followed the procedure.
Her remains were buried at Kobape Cemetery along Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.
Daily Trust reports that Ariyo’s death came barely a month after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under circumstances described as mysterious.
Mary, who was also serving in Abeokuta South LGA, was attached to Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment (PPA).
A source told Daily Trust that both deceased corps members were friends.
“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,” the source said.
However, the second corps member, who died on Tuesday, was said to have died from complications arising from an abortion procedure.
It was alleged that the NYSC official, who serves as 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 resulted in pregnancy, and that the termination led to her death.
“That is the fact in issue,” a police source who confirmed the NYSC official’s arrest told Daily Trust on Thursday.
The police source added that 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,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed Ariyo’s death and said investigations are ongoing.
However, he did not respond to questions regarding the arrest of the LGI and the alleged involvement.
“I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi said in a brief statement.
The NYSC spokesman in the state, Emmanuel Igba, had not responded to calls as of the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)