Masquerade k!lls 24-year-old in Oyo

The Oyo State Police Command has launched a comprehensive investigation into the alleged k!lling of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, who was reportedly attacked by a masquerade during a parade in the Labiran area of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State

According to the command, one suspect, identified as the Asoleke masquerade, has been arrested in connection with the incident, while four of his alleged accomplices remain at large.

The incident has renewed concerns over violence associated with some traditional masquerade processions, which have, in recent years, resulted in injuries and fatalities in parts of the country.

In a statement issued on Monday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command said the case was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday by a woman simply identified as Mrs Aderemi.

According to the statement, the complainant was informed of the attack by her elder sister.

The police said officers responded immediately after receiving the report and rushed the victim to a hospital.

The statement partly read, “She reported that earlier the same day, at about 4:00 pm, she received a distress call from her elder sister, informing her that a masquerade, identified as the Asoleke and its followers, while parading through Labiran area of Ibadan, allegedly attacked her younger brother, Sefiu Kehinde, with axes and cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries on various parts of his body.

“Upon receipt of the report, a team of Police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Mapo Division, swiftly mobilised to the scene.

“The victim was immediately evacuated to the Hospital for urgent medical attention, where he was unfortunately confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor on duty.”

The command added that investigators processed the crime scene before the deceased’s family took custody of the body for burial.

“The scene was processed, necessary documentation, including photographs, was taken, while the deceased’s family requested and obtained the release of the corpse for burial in accordance with Islamic rites,” the statement stated.

Providing an update on the investigation, the command disclosed that the alleged principal suspect had been apprehended.

The statement added, “Meanwhile, the masquerade, Asoleke, has been arrested, while four of his followers alleged to have committed the crime are still at large.

“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.”

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