NYSC official arrested over death of female corps member

2026-03-20 - 16:44

An official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State, Abass Olalekan, has been taken into police custody following the death of a female corps member on Tuesday. The deceased, Victoria Ariyo, who was serving in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, reportedly died from complications linked to pregnancy. Mr Olalekan is the NYSC’s Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South. Sources indicated that she had terminated the pregnancy and later developed complications that led to her death. She was subsequently laid to rest at Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta. Her passing occurred just weeks after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under unclear circumstances. Mary, who also served in Abeokuta South LGA, was posted to Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment. Both women were reportedly close. Sources in the NYSC believe Olalekan was sexually involved with the late Ms Ariyo. Confirming the LGI’s arrest, a police source said, “He is in our custody at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.” The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, while confirming the incident, declined to comment on the alleged arrest. “I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Babaseyi stated.