Police Search for Four Suspects in Oyo Masquerade Killing

The Oyo State Police Command is still looking for four suspected accomplices after arresting a masquerade linked to the killing of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde. He was reportedly killed with axes and cutlasses during a masquerade procession in the Labiran area of Ibadan.

Olayinka Ayanlade, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, shared this information in a chat with PUNCH Metro on Monday.

Earlier, Ayanlade confirmed that the incident was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday after Kehinde’s family raised the alarm. He said Kehinde was attacked around 4 p.m. by the Asoleke masquerade and its followers, who inflicted serious cuts on him.

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

Ayanlade explained that officers from the Mapo Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, acted quickly after receiving the report and took Kehinde to the hospital. "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 statement added.

The PPRO said the crime scene was examined and documented before Kehinde’s body was released to his family for burial according to Islamic customs. He confirmed that the masquerade had been arrested, while efforts continue to catch four of his followers believed to be involved in the crime.

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

The state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has ordered that the case be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

In response, the police assured residents that they are working hard to arrest the suspects who are still on the run. They also urged the public to share any credible information that could help in the investigation.

"The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to the protection of lives and property and will continue to take decisive action against all forms of criminality across the state," the statement concluded.