The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a masquerade identified as Asoleke over the alleged gruesome killing of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, during a traditional masquerade procession in the Labiran area of Ibadan.
The incident, which triggered outrage among residents, occurred on Sunday when the deceased was reportedly attacked with dangerous weapons by the masquerade and some of its followers.
According to a statement on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the case was first reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters by Mrs. Aderemi.
The police disclosed further that Mrs. Aderemi informed the police that at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, she received a distress call from her elder sister, who alleged that the Asoleke masquerade and its followers, while parading through the Labiran community, descended on her younger brother, Sefiu Kehinde, attacking him with axes and cutlasses and inflicting severe injuries on several parts of his body.
The statement disclosed that police operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer of Mapo Division immediately responded to the distress call and rushed to the scene.
The victim was evacuated to a hospital for emergency treatment but was confirmed dead on arrival by the attending medical doctor.
Police said the crime scene was processed while necessary documentation, including photographs, was carried out as part of the ongoing investigation.
Following a request by the deceased’s family, the body was released for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The Command confirmed that the Asoleke masquerade has been taken into custody, while four of his alleged accomplices remain on the run.
The Oyo state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbemiga has directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a comprehensive investigation.
The police assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and urged members of the public to remain calm while cooperating with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the investigation.
Reaffirming its commitment to public safety, the Oyo State Police Command vowed to bring all those involved in the killing to justice, stressing that it would continue to take decisive action against all forms of criminality across the state.
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