Osun man killed in dispute over N8,000 Egungun festival proceeds

A disagreement over the sharing of N8,000 realised during an Egungun procession in Ilare community, Osun State, has reportedly led to the death of a man identified as Bukunmi.

The incident was said to have occurred on Friday during the Egungun festival after Bukunmi allegedly got into a violent altercation with two of his friends, identified as Femi and Pelumi, over the money generated from the celebration.

Eyewitnesses, who spoke anonymously for security reasons, said the three men had participated in the masquerade procession before gathering at a location to divide the proceeds.

According to sources, trouble started when Bukunmi and Pelumi, who were reportedly related, disagreed during the sharing of the N8,000, prompting Femi to step in and mediate.

A participant in the procession narrated that the incident happened around 7:30pm after youths in Ilare concluded the Egungun celebrations.

“At the end of the procession, the three people in the group were to share N8,000 they had realised during the outing.

“Pelumi and Bukunmi, who are from the same family, had a misunderstanding, and Femi intervened to settle the matter. Suddenly, Bukunmi attacked Femi and hit him in the mouth. The action angered Femi, who allegedly stabbed Bukunmi with a knife,” the source said.

The eyewitness further disclosed that people at the scene rushed Bukunmi to a hospital for treatment, while angry youths attempted to attack Femi before operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps intervened and handed him over to the police at the Esa Oke Division.

According to the source, news later emerged that Bukunmi died from the injuries he sustained during the incident.

“The knife allegedly used in the attack, the deceased’s body and the suspect were all taken away by the police,” the eyewitness added.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspect had been taken into custody.

“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, and due process will be followed to determine the circumstances surrounding the death,” Ojelabi stated.