One person whose identity is yet to be known was feared dead, and several others injured when the Egungun festival turned violent in Kuta, Ayedire Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday.
An eyewitness, Sefiu Oladipupo, said what was supposed to be a cultural celebration degenerated into a free-for-all.
According to him, two young men engaged in a machete fight while spectators watched, eager to see whose charm was more powerful.
“I witnessed a young, promising life being cut short by a cutlass. It was no longer entertainment; it was death playing out in broad daylight,” he recounted.
Oladipupo said the incident triggered panic, forcing him to run for almost two kilometres to safety as the violence spread.
“It was terrifying. Seeing a lifeless body lying before me was an experience I never imagined I would have at a cultural festival,” he added.
He disclosed that several other persons sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
The eyewitness called on traditional rulers and security agencies to regulate Egungun celebrations and check the use of dangerous weapons during festivals.
“I love Yoruba culture, but preservation must not come at the expense of human life. No tradition is greater than human life,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
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