The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a masquerader identified as Asoleke over the alleged killing of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, during a procession in the Labiran area of Ibadan.
The command announced the arrest in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Oluseyi Olayinka, who said a comprehensive investigation had been launched into the incident.
According to the police, the case was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday by a woman identified as Mrs Aderemi.
She told officers that at about 4:00 p.m., she received a distress call from her elder sister informing her that the Asoleke masquerade and its followers had attacked her younger brother with axes and cutlasses while parading through the Labiran area, inflicting severe injuries on different parts of his body.
The Divisional Police Officer of the Mapo Division led a team to the scene, where the victim was rescued and rushed to a hospital. However, doctors on duty confirmed Kehinde dead on arrival.
The deceased’s family later obtained the release of his body for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
Police said the Asoleke masquerader had been arrested, while four of his followers, who allegedly participated in the attack, remain at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The command urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing any credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.
