A disagreement over the sharing of ₦8,000 reportedly turned fatal during an Egungun Festival procession in Ilare, Osun State, leading to the death of a man identified as Bukunmi.
The incident occurred on Friday evening after three participants in the festival procession—Bukunmi, Femi, and Pelumi—allegedly argued over money collected from spectators during the celebration.
According to eyewitness accounts, the trio had taken part in the day’s masquerade activities before tensions emerged while attempting to divide the earnings. The dispute reportedly began between Bukunmi and Pelumi, who are said to be related, before escalating into a physical confrontation.
Witnesses said Femi intervened in an attempt to calm the situation, but the disagreement quickly spiralled out of control. In the process, Bukunmi allegedly struck Femi, prompting a violent response that led to him being stabbed with a knife.
Residents rushed the injured man to a nearby hospital, while operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps reportedly intervened to prevent a mob attack on the suspect. He was subsequently handed over to the police at the Esa Oke Division.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect is in custody and that investigations have commenced. He added that the deceased’s body has been deposited in a mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities say the case remains under investigation as they work to establish the full circumstances that led to the deadly altercation.