A Traditional burial ceremony in Ayeka, a community in the Okitipupa Local Council Area of Ondo State, descended into tragedy at the weekend, when a high chief was fatally shot in the head during funeral rites.

The victim, a traditional titleholder among the chiefs conducting the ceremony, died instantly after a firearm was accidentally discharged amid the rituals.

According to eyewitness accounts and video footage of the event, the incident unfolded while the deceased’s colleagues were carrying out traditional funeral proceedings for a fellow High Chief.

The ceremony, which had drawn family members, community leaders, and residents, was abruptly halted as panic spread following the gunshot.

According to sources, the shooting may have involved funeral celebrants discharging firearms into the air as part of customary festivities.

Meanwhile, the identities of both the victim and the High Chief being buried could not be immediately ascertained as of press time.

One of the sources attributed the fatal incident to an accidental discharge by what he described as reckless handling of the weapon.

When contacted over the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed that one person has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Jimoh, who added that the investigation had also begun into the development, assured that details of the incident will be provided in due course.