A disagreement over proceeds realised during an Egungun festival procession in Ilare community, Osun State, has reportedly led to the death of a man identified simply as Bukunmi.
Eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred on Friday evening after three participants in the masquerade procession gathered to share money generated during the celebration.
According to residents, the trio identified as Bukunmi, Femi and Pelumi had realised a total sum of N8,000 from the procession before a dispute broke out over the sharing formula.
An eyewitness disclosed that the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. after youths participating in the Egungun festival concluded the celebration and began sharing the money realised from members of the public.
The source said, “At around 7:30 p.m., boys in Ilare town were celebrating the Egungun festival and collected money from people during the celebrations. At the end of the procession, the three people in their group were to share a sum of N8,000 that they made.”
The source further explained that an argument later ensued between Bukunmi and Pelumi, who were said to be from the same family, before another participant, Femi, attempted to intervene and calm the situation.
The witness added that while trying to settle the dispute, Femi was allegedly attacked by Bukunmi, who reportedly hit him in the mouth during the confrontation.
The situation, however, degenerated after Femi allegedly retaliated by stabbing Bukunmi with a knife during the altercation.
Another resident said the injured victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, while some angry youths attempted to descend on the suspect.
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were said to have arrived at the scene and rescued the suspect from possible mob attack before handing him over to officers at the Esa-Oke Police Division.
Sources added that tensions heightened in the area before security operatives restored calm and took the suspect into custody.
It was later gathered that Bukunmi died from injuries sustained during the incident, while the knife allegedly used in the attack was recovered by the police.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident, saying the suspect had been arrested and investigation had commenced.
Ojelabi also disclosed that the corpse had been deposited at a mortuary for autopsy, while the police continued efforts to unravel the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
