Police in Lagos are investigating what led to the death of a Lagos-based gospel artiste, and four others who were found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.
The deceased identified as Matthew Ogundele, Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.were found dead on Wednesday morning.
It was gathered that the deceased were invited to perform on Tuesday during the second day of a three-day birthday praise event organised by a female gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola.Police the group finished their session late that night and chose to sleep over at the studio rather than travel home.
Their remains were discovered the following morning, Wednesday, while a Christian blog, Omojesu, affirmed that the distance between the studio and their homes influenced their decision to sleep over.
The report is stated that they passed away in their sleep, though the exact cause of death remains unknown.
The incident was reported at the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah.Photos circulating on social media show what appear to be blood stains around the noses, ears and mouths of the victims, prompting concern and speculation about the circumstances of their deaths.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Abimbola Adebisi, who confirmed the report, said the case was reported on Wednesday by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the event’s celebrant.
According to Adebisi, Akinbola told police he left the artistes at his studio, located inside the HFP Shopping Complex, on Tuesday night after buying food for them as they prepared for a music concert. He said the group returned to the studio after collecting the food, while he went home.
“At about 11am on Wednesday, Akintayo said he returned to the studio and found the door locked from the inside. He raised an alarm, and the door was forced open. The lifeless bodies of the four artistes were discovered inside,” Adebisi said.
She added that detectives visited the scene and took photographs. No visible signs of violence were found on the bodies.
The remains were taken to Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where they were confirmed dead by a doctor on duty, before being moved to the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further investigation.
