National Youth Service Corps staffer taken into custody following fatality of young woman participant

A police investigation is underway in Ogun State following the death of Victoria Ariyo, a female corps member who was serving in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area, with Abass Olalekan, an official of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), taken into custody in connection with the incident. The deceased had been experiencing complications linked to a pregnancy, which ultimately led to her passing on Tuesday.

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Olalekan, who serves as the NYSC's Local Government Inspector (LGI) for Abeokuta South, is currently being held at the police command's headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, according to a police source, although the circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear.

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Victoria Ariyo's death occurred after she had reportedly terminated her pregnancy, which was said to have led to the development of complications that proved fatal, with her body subsequently laid to rest at the Kobape Cemetery along the Kobape-Sagamu Road in Abeokuta.

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Her passing is the second such incident in recent weeks, coming after another female corps member, Adeleye Mary, died under unclear circumstances while serving in the same local government area, with Mary having been assigned to the Ogun State Television (OGTV) as her Place of Primary Assignment.

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According to sources within the NYSC, there were allegations of a sexual relationship between Olalekan and the late Ms Ariyo, although these claims have not been officially confirmed.

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A police source has confirmed that Olalekan is being held in custody, stating that "He is in our custody at the command's headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta," while the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, declined to comment on the alleged arrest.

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DSP Babaseyi did, however, confirm that the case of Victoria Ariyo's demise is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department, stating "I can confirm that the case of the demise of Victoria Ariyo is under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department."