Masquerade Procession Turns Deadly as Cult Clash Claims Life

Written by Jerry Alomatu on June 3, 2025

News Views: 134

A masquerade parade in Osogbo, Osun State, took a violent turn on Sunday evening when rival cult groups clashed, leaving one person dead.

The deceased, identified as Kazeem, was reportedly caught in the crossfire during a confrontation between suspected members of the Eiye confraternity and another group along Oke-Ola Street.

According to residents, the Eiye group, said to be led by a man known as Tajudeen from the Oke-Baale area, had been escorting the masquerade when the rival gang joined the procession. Tensions flared, leading to a stone-throwing melee that quickly escalated to gunfire.

Eyewitness Ismail Bakare said panic gripped the area as gunshots rang out. “People fled in different directions. When calm returned, we found Kazeem lying lifeless,” he recounted.

Spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident. He said police anti-cult operatives were deployed swiftly to the scene, causing the armed men to disperse. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.