A gospel musician, Matthew Ogundele, and three members of his crew have been found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.

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

Findings revealed that the deceased had been invited to minister on Tuesday, the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by a fellow gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola.

According to Daily Post, a police source disclosed on Saturday that the group arrived for the programme in the evening and performed late into the night.

Owing to the late hour, they reportedly decided to spend the night in the studio, where they were later discovered dead the following morning.

“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 in a Facebook post, stating that the victims opted 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.

Naija News reports that the matter was subsequently reported at the Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah, while colleagues and friends of the deceased took to social media to demand justice.

Images circulating online showed traces of blood around the noses, mouths, and ears of the victims, raising public concern and speculation over the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

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 celebrant.

According to her, Akinbola told the police that he left the artistes in his studio located within 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 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 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 disclosed that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, for a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of death.

Naija News reports that the latest tragic incident comes barely a month after popular gospel singer and evangelist Bunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Bunmi Omije Ojumi, passed away.

The news of her death was made public by fellow gospel artiste Alayo Melody, who shared a family statement on Instagram alongside a photo of the late singer and a video showing her remains in a body bag.

The family confirmed that Bunmi Akinnaanu died on January 12, 2026, at a hospital in Lagos.

Bunmi Omije Ojumi was known in Christian music circles for her deep worship songs, including Omije Oju Mi and O Ti Sure.

Her music gained wide acceptance in churches, prayer gatherings, and among gospel music lovers who often shared her songs for personal devotion and worship