Four Nigerians, including gospel musician Matthew Ogundele, were found dead inside a music studio located in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State, sparking widespread concern within the entertainment and Christian communities.

The other deceased individuals were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTv.

Why the Artistes Were at the Studio

The victims were reportedly invited to minister on Tuesday as part of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artiste Olanireti Akinbola. The event commenced on Monday, with Matthew Ogundele and his team scheduled to minister on the second day.

A police source disclosed on Saturday that the artistes arrived at the studio in the evening and performed late into the night. Due to the late hour, they reportedly decided to remain in the studio overnight.

Their lifeless bodies were discovered the following morning.

“The convener organised a three-day birthday praise programme which began on Monday. Matthew Ogundele and his crew were billed to minister on Tuesday. The programme lasted late, so they chose to sleep in the studio. It was the next morning that information filtered in that they had been found dead,” the source said.

Christian Blog Confirms Overnight Stay

A Christian blog, Omojesu, also reported the incident via a Facebook post, stating that the victims decided to stay overnight because of 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.

Police Report and Public Reaction

The incident was subsequently reported at the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah. Since the news broke, friends, colleagues, and sympathisers have taken to social media to demand justice and clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Images circulating online showing what appeared to be blood stains around the noses, mouths, and ears of the victims have further heightened public concern and speculation.

Lagos Police Confirm Incident

Confirming the development, the 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 birthday celebrant.

According to her, Akinbola informed the police that he left the artistes inside his studio, located within the HFP Shopping Complex, on Tuesday night after purchasing food for them while they prepared for a music concert.

“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,” Adebisi said.

She added that he raised an alarm, and the door was subsequently forced open, revealing the bodies of the four individuals inside the studio.

Autopsy and Investigation Ongoing

SP Adebisi disclosed that detectives immediately 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 stated.

She further revealed that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of death.

^{Photo Credit: PunchNG.com}