Police Arrest Masquerader, Go After 4 Fleeing Followers For Alleged Murder

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

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said operatives have launched a manhunt for four followers of the masquerader now at large.

In a statement he issued yesterday, Ayanlade said that the attack on the deceased was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday by one of the deceased’s sisters, simply identified as Mrs Aderemi.

He said, “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 masquerader, 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 (DPO), 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,” Ayanlade said.

He said the scene of the incident had been processed, and that necessary documentation, including photographs, had been taken.

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

Alayande said that the commissioner of police, Mr 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 arresting 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. (NAN).