Police arrest masquerader after fatal attack on 24-year-old

Police in Oyo State have arrested a man performing as a traditional masquerade and launched a manhunt for four of his followers following the fatal attack on a 24-year-old man in Ibadan. The victim, Sefiu Kehinde, died from severe injuries sustained during the assault, which occurred on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in the Labiran area of the state capital.

According to a police statement issued on Monday, the incident was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters by a woman identified as Mrs. Aderemi, the elder sister of the deceased. She informed authorities that she received a distress call around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, learning that a masquerade known as Asoleke and its followers had attacked her brother with axes and cutlasses during a parade.

Police operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly mobilized to the scene. Kehinde was evacuated to a hospital for urgent medical attention but was confirmed dead on arrival by the attending physician. Investigators processed the crime scene, documenting evidence, after which the deceased's family took custody of the body for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Oyo State Police Command stated that the individual...