Justice Served: Court Sentences Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to Death for Brutal Murder of NYSC Member Salome Adaidu
In a judgment that resonated across Nasarawa State and beyond, the High Court sitting in Lafia has sentenced Oluwatimileyin Ajayi to death by hanging for the horrific murder of Salome Adaidu, a promising young member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The tragic case, which shocked the nation, reached its final legal conclusion on Thursday as Justice Simon Aboki pronounced the ultimate penalty on Ajayi, who was found guilty of culpable homicide.
The court ruled that Ajayi’s actions were not only deliberate but chilling in their cruelty. According to the findings, he brutally killed Salome and proceeded to dismember her body in an attempt to conceal the crime. The incident, which drew national outrage when it occurred, became a painful reminder of the dangers faced by many young Nigerians serving their country under the NYSC scheme.
A Gruesome Crime That Shocked a Nation
Salome Adaidu was a bright, energetic young woman, full of dreams and determination. She was posted to Nasarawa State for her mandatory one-year national service. Like thousands of other graduates, she joined the NYSC with hopes of contributing to national development while preparing for her future.
Her life, however, was cut short in the most brutal fashion. Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, who was said to have known Salome, lured her to an isolated location where he murdered her in cold blood. The horror of the crime escalated when it was revealed that he had dismembered her body, making efforts to hide the evidence of the killing.
The gruesome nature of the act sent shockwaves through the NYSC community and raised urgent questions about corps members’ safety, especially those serving in unfamiliar or rural areas. It also sparked debates about the criminal justice system, the punishment for heinous crimes, and the societal implications of unchecked violence.
The Legal Proceedings: A Case Built on Evidence
The prosecution, led by the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice, charged Ajayi with one count of culpable homicide under Section 221 of the Penal Code Law applicable in Northern Nigeria. This section outlines the deliberate and unlawful killing of another human being and prescribes the death penalty as the punishment.
During the trial, the court heard extensive testimonies from witnesses, forensic experts, and law enforcement officers who worked on the case. The evidence presented in court showed without doubt that Ajayi planned and executed the murder of Salome Adaidu. Eyewitness accounts, phone records, forensic examination of the crime scene, and confessional statements all pointed squarely at the accused.
Justice Simon Aboki, delivering the judgment, stated unequivocally that the court found Ajayi guilty beyond reasonable doubt. He emphasized that the law must take its full course in such a heinous act, which not only took an innocent life but also desecrated the very principles of human dignity and justice.
Final Judgment: Death by Hanging
“The defendant, Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging,” Justice Aboki declared. “This court has found sufficient evidence that the accused committed the crime of culpable homicide as charged. The actions were deliberate, brutal, and callous. Justice must be served.”
The judgment was received with mixed emotions. While it brought closure to the case, it also reopened wounds for the family of the deceased and the NYSC community, who continue to mourn the loss of a young woman who had barely begun her life.
Who Was Salome Adaidu?
Salome was not just a statistic in Nigeria’s long list of murder victims. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a servant of the nation. Her life was defined by intelligence, grace, and purpose. As an NYSC member, she had been actively involved in community outreach and development programs in Nasarawa before her untimely death.
Tributes poured in from across the country after her murder. Her colleagues remembered her as a cheerful and hardworking individual who always looked out for others. Her death left a vacuum that words could not fill.
Many Nigerians on social media described her as a symbol of the country’s failing security architecture—young people sent to serve often find themselves vulnerable to crimes in unfamiliar territories. “Salome came to serve her country, not to die for it,” one Twitter user wrote at the time.
The Pain of Her Family
No punishment, however severe, can erase the grief felt by Salome’s family. They attended nearly every court session, sitting quietly in the public gallery, waiting for justice to be served. Her mother was reported to have collapsed upon hearing the details of how her daughter was murdered during early proceedings in the trial.
Speaking to reporters after the judgment, a relative said the family was grateful that justice had finally been delivered, but added that “no court judgment can bring our daughter back. We hope her soul can now rest, knowing that the law did not ignore her pain.”
Public Reactions and the Demand for NYSC Reform
The murder of Salome Adaidu sparked nationwide protests, especially among NYSC members and advocacy groups. Questions were raised about the safety of corps members, especially female participants, in rural or insecure parts of the country.
Several NGOs called on the Federal Government to rethink how NYSC postings are managed. There were demands for improved background checks on residents who live near corps lodges, better security arrangements, and emergency helplines that corps members could use when in danger.
“This tragedy must not be in vain,” said Amina Yusuf, an NYSC safety advocate. “Salome’s story should lead to real policy changes that protect other corps members from suffering the same fate.”
A Broader Concern: Violence Against Women
Salome’s murder also sparked discussions on gender-based violence in Nigeria. Her death highlighted the growing trend of targeted violence against women and girls, a problem that has become alarmingly common.
Women’s rights groups took to the streets in Nasarawa, Abuja, and Lagos, calling for stronger legal frameworks to address violence against women. “This is not just about one girl,” said one protester. “This is about all the women who are not safe in their homes, in their communities, or even when they step out to serve the country.”
The murder became a rallying point for campaigns advocating for safer environments for women, tougher laws against gender-based violence, and swifter prosecution of offenders.
The Role of the Criminal Justice System
Legal analysts have praised the swiftness and transparency of the trial. In a country where justice is often delayed, this case stood out as a rare example of prompt and decisive legal action. The court took less than a year from arraignment to judgment, setting a precedent for how similar cases should be handled.
“The judiciary has spoken loud and clear,” said Barrister Remi Ogunlana, a legal rights advocate. “This ruling sends a strong message to would-be offenders. The law is not asleep. If you commit such acts, you will be held accountable.”
However, Ogunlana also stressed the need for wider reforms in criminal investigations and evidence gathering to ensure more convictions in cases that often go unresolved.
What Happens Next?
With the death sentence now officially pronounced, the next steps will involve Nigeria’s legal appeals process. Under Nigerian law, capital punishment cases, such as this one, are automatically subject to further judicial review. Oluwatimileyin Ajayi, the convict, has the right to appeal the judgment at a higher court, and that process could take months or even years, depending on how quickly it moves through the system.
If the appeal fails and the judgment is upheld, the sentence will be executed by the appropriate state authorities. In Nigeria, death sentences are typically carried out by hanging, as mandated under the Penal Code of Northern Nigeria.
While the court’s ruling has brought a sense of justice to the grieving family and the public, many are now turning their attention to what measures are being taken to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
In response, the Nasarawa State Government has promised to take serious steps to protect corps members serving in the state. The Commissioner for Youth and Development, Dr. Halima Musa, issued a statement shortly after the verdict was delivered.
She assured the public that Salome Adaidu’s tragic death would not be in vain. “We are working hand in hand with security agencies and the leadership of the NYSC to review and strengthen safety protocols for all corps members posted to Nasarawa State,” she said.
These include increasing security surveillance around corps lodges, setting up emergency response systems, and conducting sensitization for host communities. The goal, she emphasized, is to create a safer and more secure environment for every NYSC member serving in the state.
Closing Thoughts: Justice, But at What Cost?
The case of Salome Adaidu is one that will remain etched in the hearts of many Nigerians for years to come. It is a heartbreaking story of potential cut short, of duty met with violence, and of justice delivered, though painfully late for the victim.
Oluwatimileyin Ajayi now faces the weight of the law for his actions. But for Salome’s family, friends, and fellow corps members, the loss remains deep. Her story is now part of a national conversation about violence, justice, and the value of every Nigerian life.
As the gavel fell in the Lafia High Court, a message was sent—not just to criminals, but to the entire nation. Justice may be slow, but when it arrives, it must be firm, fearless, and complete.
Salome Adaidu came to serve her country. In death, she has served a greater cause—awakening a call for justice, reform, and compassion.
May her soul rest in peace.