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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Masquerade kills 24-year-old in Oyo, suspect arrested

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Police in Oyo State, Nigeria, are investigating the death of a 24-year-old man allegedly attacked by a masquerade during a procession.
  • One suspect, identified as the Asoleke masquerade, has been arrested, but four accomplices remain at large.
  • The incident has raised concerns about violence during traditional masquerade events, which have previously led to injuries and fatalities.

A 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, has died following an alleged attack by a masquerade during a parade in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The Oyo State Police Command has launched a thorough investigation into the incident, which occurred in the Labiran area.

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.

— DSP Ayanlade OlayinkaStatement from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer detailing the initial report of the incident.

According to a statement from the state's Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the police received a report on Sunday from a woman who stated her younger brother was attacked by the Asoleke masquerade and its followers. The report indicated that the victim sustained severe injuries from axes and cutlasses before being rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The police have arrested the alleged principal suspect, identified as the Asoleke masquerade. However, four of his alleged accomplices are still at large. The Commissioner of Police for Oyo State Command has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The command assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects and appealed for cooperation.

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.

— DSP Ayanlade OlayinkaStatement from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer describing the outcome of the victim's medical treatment.

This incident has reignited concerns regarding the violence sometimes associated with traditional masquerade processions in Nigeria. In recent years, similar events have unfortunately resulted in injuries and even deaths in various parts of the country.

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

— DSP Ayanlade OlayinkaStatement from the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer providing an update on the arrests made in connection with the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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