A man simply identified as Bukunmi has been killed during a masquerade festival in Ilare, Osun State, following a disagreement over the sharing of proceeds realised during the festival.
According to media reports, the unfortunate incident occurred on Friday after three young men — Bukunmi, Femi and Pelumi — participated in an Egungun procession in the community.
This medium understand that trouble erupted when the trio attempted to divide ₦8,000 allegedly generated during the celebration.
“At around 7:30pm Friday, boys in Ilare town were celebrating Egungun festival and they collected money from people during the celebrations. At the end of the procession on Friday, the three people that were together in their own group were to share a sum of N8000 that they made.
“One Pelumi and Bukunmi, both members of the same family had misunderstanding, and Femi, intervened and prevailed on the two of them not to fight. Suddenly, Bukunmi attacked Femi, who was mediating. He hit him in the mouth and that angered the mediator, who allegedly stabbed Bukunmi with knife.
“After the incident, people around rushed the injured Bukunmi to a hospital. Those at the scene of the crime, were on the verge of attacking Femi, but some operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, that responded early enough, rescued and handed him over to the police in Esa Oke Division.
“News later filtered in that Bukunmi eventually died of the injury he sustained during the incident. The knife used to perpetrate the act, the corpse of the deceased and the suspect were all taken away by the police”, a source familiar with the development said.
Meanwhile, police authorities in Osun State confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
Mr. Abiodun Ojelabi, the spokesman of the command, said the suspect was currently in police custody while investigation into the matter had commenced.
“We are aware of the incident. The suspect is with the police.
“The corpse has been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy. Investigation is on.
“We have to follow the due process to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death,” he said.
