The police command in Oyo state says it has commenced an investigation into the killing of a 24-year-old man, Sefiu Kehinde, who was allegedly attacked by a masquerader in the Labiran area of Ibadan.

In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, said a masquerader identified as Asoleke and his followers attacked Mr Kehinde with axes and cutlasses on Sunday.

“The incident was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, 5th July 2026, by one Mrs Aderemi. She reported that earlier the same day, at about 4:00 p.m., she received a distress call from her elder sister, informing her that a masquerade, identified as the Asoleke and its followers,” the police statement said.

Mrs Adeyemi alleged that the masquerader, while parading through the Labiran area of Ibadan, attacked her younger brother, Mr Kehinde, with axes and cutlasses, inflicting severe injuries on various parts of his body.

“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 scene was processed, necessary documentation, including photographs, was taken, while the deceased’s family requested and obtained the release of the corpse for burial in accordance with Islamic rites,” the police added.

The statement said the masquerader had been arrested, while four of his followers, alleged to have participated in the attack, remained at large.

Police commissioner Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.