A disagreement over the sharing of N8,000 realised during an Egungun festival procession in Ilare, Osun State, has turned tragic after a man identified as Bukunmi was allegedly stabbed to death.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday evening after the deceased and two of his friends, identified as Femi and Pelumi, completed a masquerade procession organised as part of the traditional celebration.
Residents familiar with the incident said the trio had gathered to divide the money realised during the event when an argument broke out.
Eyewitnesses, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, disclosed that Bukunmi and Pelumi, said to be relatives, had engaged in a heated disagreement over the sharing formula before Femi stepped in to settle the matter.
A participant at the festival explained that the situation later degenerated into violence.
“At about 7:30pm on Friday, youths participating in the Egungun celebration in Ilare were collecting money from residents during the procession.
After the outing, the three men decided to share the N8,000 they made,” the source said.
“Pelumi and Bukunmi, who belong to the same family, started arguing during the sharing.
Femi tried to calm the situation, but Bukunmi allegedly attacked him and hit him in the mouth.
“That provoked Femi, who reportedly brought out a knife and stabbed Bukunmi.”
The source added that people at the scene quickly rushed the victim to a hospital for treatment, while some angry residents attempted to attack the suspect before operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps intervened.
The NSCDC officials were said to have rescued the suspect and handed him over to the police at the Esa Oke Division.
The victim was later confirmed dead from injuries sustained during the altercation.
Police authorities reportedly recovered the knife allegedly used in the attack, while the corpse was deposited in a mortuary.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, said the suspect remained in police custody as investigations continued.
“We are aware of the incident. The suspect is with the police.
The corpse has been deposited in the mortuary for autopsy. Investigation is ongoing,” she said.
She added that the command would ensure due process was followed to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.