Police arrest masquerade, launch manhunt for four others over alleged murder

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested the Asoleke masquerade and launched a manhunt for four others over alleged killing of Sefiu Kehinde, 24, at Labiran area of Ibadan.

The Command’s spokesman, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement on Monday in Ibadan, said operatives have launched a manhunt for four followers of the masquerade who are still at large.

Ayanlade said that the attack on the deceased was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday by one of the deceased’s sister, one Mrs. Aderemi.

“She reported that earlier the fateful day, at about 4:00 p.m., she received a distress call from her elder sister, informing her that a masquerade, Asoleke, and its followers, attacked her younger brother with axes and cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries on various parts of his body.

“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 command’s PRO said.

Ayanlade said that the scene of the incident had been processed, while necessary documentation, including photographs, was taken.

He said that following a demand by the family for the deceased’s corpse to be released for burial in accordance to Islamic rites, it was handed over to them.

Alayande said that the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbemiga, has directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

Olugbemiga assured members of the public of the Command’s commitment to arrest the remaining perpetrators.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the Police by providing credible information that may assist the investigation,” the CP said.