Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Oyo State Police Command has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the gruesome murder of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, who was allegedly attacked by a masquerade and its followers in the Labiran area of Ibadan on Sunday, 5 July 2026. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters by one Mrs Aderemi, who informed officers that she received a distress call from her elder sister earlier that day at approximately 4:00 p.m.
According to the report, the masquerade, identified as the Asoleke, and its followers, while parading through the Labiran area, allegedly attacked Kehinde 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 a hospital for urgent medical attention, where he was unfortunately confirmed dead on arrival by the medical doctor on duty.
The scene was processed, and necessary documentation, including photographs, was taken. The deceased's family requested and obtained the release of the corpse for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. Meanwhile, the masquerade, Asoleke, has been arrested, while four of his followers alleged to have committed the crime are still at large. The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, psc, mnips, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command has assured members of the public that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining perpetrators and has urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police by providing credible information that may assist the investigation. The Oyo State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and vowed to continue taking decisive action against all forms of criminality across the state.
The killing has reignited debates about the regulation of traditional festivals and masquerade activities in urban areas, with many residents calling for stricter oversight to prevent such tragedies. Masquerade festivals, deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, are often accompanied by displays of strength and sometimes violence, leading to injuries and fatalities. While the Oyo State Government has previously imposed restrictions on masquerade activities in certain areas, enforcement has been inconsistent. The police investigation is expected to examine whether the masquerade and its followers acted within the bounds of their traditional rights or whether they exceeded acceptable limits, resulting in criminal culpability.
As the search for the four fleeing followers continues, the community of Labiran and its environs are left to mourn the loss of a young life and demand justice. The quick arrest of the Asoleke masquerade is a positive development, but residents hope that the remaining suspects will be apprehended swiftly and that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on all those responsible. The police have appealed to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the fleeing suspects to come forward, assuring them that their identity and information will be treated with utmost confidentiality. The tragic death of Sefiu Kehinde serves as a somber reminder of the need to balance cultural traditions with the protection of human life and the maintenance of law and order.
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