Tragedy struck in Ajah, Lagos State, as gospel musician Matthew Ogundele and three members of his crew were discovered dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area.
The other victims have been identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.
Investigations indicate the artistes had been invited to perform on Tuesday, the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artist Olanireti Akinbola.
A police source said the group arrived in the evening and performed late into the night.
“The convener organised a three-day birthday praise which began on Monday. Matthew Ogundele and his crew were billed to minister on Tuesday. The programme lasted late, so they decided to sleep over in the studio. It was the next morning that information filtered in that their lifeless bodies had been found,” the source said.
A Christian blog, Omojesu, also reported the incident on Facebook, noting that the victims opted to stay overnight due to the distance between the studio and their homes.
“In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were reportedly invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Due to the distance, they decided to sleep over. Sadly, they were said to have passed away in their sleep,” the post read.
The matter was reported at Ajiwe Police Station, Ajah, while friends and colleagues of the deceased have taken to social media calling for justice.
Images circulating online showed traces of blood around the noses, mouths, and ears of the victims, raising public concern and speculation about the circumstances of their deaths.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi said the case was reported on Wednesday by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.
“He stated that the artistes returned to the studio with the food while he went home. However, at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, he returned and discovered that the studio door was locked from the inside. Alarmed, he raised the alarm and the door was forced open. Upon entry, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were found inside the studio,” Adebisi said.
She added that detectives promptly visited the scene and documented their findings, noting that no visible signs of violence were observed on the bodies.
“The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead. They were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation,” she said.
Adebisi further disclosed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of death.