Police in Oyo State have arrested a masquerade following the death of a 24-year-old man allegedly attacked during a traditional procession in Ibadan, while four other suspects remain at large.

The victim, identified as Sefiu Kehinde, was allegedly attacked with axes and cutlasses during a masquerade parade in the Labiran area of Ibadan on Sunday, according to the Oyo State Police Command.

Police spokesperson DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said the incident was reported at the Mapo Divisional Police Headquarters by a woman identified as Mrs Aderemi, who said she was alerted by her elder sister about the attack.

According to Olayinka, officers led by the Divisional Police Officer responded immediately and evacuated the victim to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“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,” Olayinka said in a statement issued on Monday.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the victim was attacked by a masquerade identified as Asoleke and several followers while they were participating in a procession through the neighbourhood.

Police processed the scene and documented the incident before releasing the victim’s body to his family for burial in accordance with Islamic rites, Olayinka added.

The command said the suspected principal attacker, identified as the Asoleke masquerade, had been arrested, while four alleged accomplices remain on the run.

“The masquerade, Asoleke, has been arrested, while four of his followers alleged to have committed the crime are still at large,” the statement said.

Oyo State Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, according to the police.

The command said efforts were under way to apprehend the remaining suspects and appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist investigators.

The incident has renewed concerns over violence linked to some traditional masquerade processions in parts of Nigeria, where clashes and attacks during festivals have occasionally resulted in deaths and injuries.

Police said they remained committed to protecting lives and property and vowed to prosecute all those found responsible for the killing.