Confusion, tears and rising anger have gripped the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State, following the shocking death of popular gospel artiste, Matthew Ogundele, and three members of his crew, who were found lifeless inside a music studio.
Residents awoke to a tragedy that has since refused to make sense. The four persons, full of life the night before, were discovered dead inside the studio where they had worked and slept after a gospel programme. As news spread, disbelief quickly turned to grief, while questions mounted over how a night of praise ended in death.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the incident and announced the commencement of investigations to unravel the mystery surrounding the deaths.
A police source disclosed that preliminary findings showed no visible signs of violence on the bodies of the victims. “Investigation is ongoing, as there was no sign of violence on the remains of the victims,” the source said.
Those who died alongside Ogundele were identified as Joseph Sanya, Itunu Ogundele, and a blogger and media aide, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.
According to information gathered, the victims had been invited to minister on Tuesday, February 3, during the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by a female gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola. The event reportedly began in the evening and stretched late into the night.
A police source explained that after the programme, the gospel artiste and his crew decided to sleep over at the studio due to the late hour.
“The convener invited several gospel artistes to minister during her three-day birthday praise, which started on Monday,” the source said.
“Segun Praise was scheduled to minister on the second day, and he came with his crew. The session ran late, so they decided to stay overnight in the studio. It was the following morning that their lifeless bodies were found.”
As the story broke, emotions spilled over. Friends, colleagues and fans of the deceased flooded social media with tributes and anguished demands for justice. Many expressed shock that men who had spent the night singing praises could end up dead without explanation.
Disturbing photographs circulating online have further deepened public concern. The images allegedly show blood stains around the noses, ears and mouths of the victims, fuelling speculation and intensifying calls for a thorough and transparent investigation.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the matter was reported on Wednesday, February 4, by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.
According to Adebisi, Akintayo told police that he had left the artistes at his music studio, located inside the HFP Shopping Complex, on Tuesday night after buying food for them while they prepared for a music concert.
“He stated that the artistes returned to the studio after collecting the food, while he went home,” she said.
Trouble began the next morning.
“At about 11am on Wednesday, Akintayo said he returned to the studio and discovered that the door was locked from the inside,” Adebisi explained.
“Alarmed by the situation, he reportedly called for help, and the door was eventually forced open. On entering the studio, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were discovered.”
Detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene. Photographs were taken, and initial examinations reportedly showed no marks of violence on the bodies. Nevertheless, police insist that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.
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