A 29-year-old fashion designer identified as Olatunji Ismaila, of Isikalu Street, Ajegunle, Lagos, was brutally murdered by some masquerade followers after he went to seek justice for his friend, who was attacked by the masquerade and his followers on Monday, June 6, 2022.
According to media reports, the brother of the deceased in a chat with journalists said, “At 8:05 pm last Saturday, my late nephew’s friend reported that he was beaten by masquerade’s followers.
“Normally, these people are usually with canes, which they use to scare people. Late Ismaila took his friend along to report to the leader of the masquerade team.
“As he was narrating how his men melted ill-treatment on his friend, one of the masquerade’s followers interjected and asked why Ismaila was speaking rudely to their leader.
“This resulted in an argument that degenerated into a fight with some masquerade followers. One of them stabbed Ismalia with a dagger in the chest.
“Then, I was in the mosque praying. After praying, we rushed him to a private hospital, from where we were referred to Oriki. Unfortunately, he died before we got to Oriki Hospital.
“Immediately his assailants got wind of the situation, they fled. I have lodged the incident with the Police at Tolu Division.”
The family while demanding justice noted that some of the people involved in the killing of the father-of-one had been gifting them money in other not to disclose the incident to the press.
It was also reported that an angry mob burnt a vehicle belonging to the chairman of the masquerade team while protesting the death of Ismaila.
