A tragic incident occurred in Ikirun, Osun State, on Monday, May 6, 2025, when a follower of the Orogun Meji masquerade, identified simply as Olubukola, was allegedly shot dead by an operative of the Amotekun Corps during a masquerade procession.
Olubukola, a truck driver affiliated with the Eko-Ende Tipper Motor Park, was reportedly part of the parade organized to herald the Egungun Festival. According to eyewitness accounts, chaos broke out during the procession when a scuffle ensued, allegedly involving attempts by some individuals to wrest a rifle from an Amotekun operative hired to provide security for the event.
“In the course of that parade, chaos erupted, which led to the dragging of a rifle with one of the Amotekun Corps. One of the followers of the Orogun Meji masquerade, named Olubukola, was eventually shot in the leg. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but unfortunately passed away in the early hours of Tuesday,” an eyewitness recounted.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the police have invited the head of the Orogun Meji masquerade group for questioning. He disclosed that the masquerade leader was the one who engaged the Amotekun operative.
“The incident happened on Monday. We invited the head of the Orogun Meji masquerade for questioning, as we were informed that he was the one who engaged the Amotekun operative. Investigation is ongoing,” Ojelabi stated.
The incident has raised concerns about the handling of security during traditional festivals and the potential for violence in cultural celebrations.
