Man, 27, Arrested Inside Church For Stealing Goats During Child Dedication

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at the church located in Ipokia Local Council area of the State.

This was disclosed by the Corps Commander, Dr Soji Ganzallo, who confirmed the arrest in a statement issued at the weekend in Abeokuta by the Director of Information, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi.

Ganzallo said the suspect was first sighted on February 6, 2026, at about 5:00 a.m., by operatives attached to the Ifonyintedo Division during a routine patrol along the Madoga–Ita-Ege Road.

He was reportedly riding a motorcycle with an accomplice and carrying a black bag.

On noticing the operatives, the suspects allegedly sped off. During the chase, they abandoned the motorcycle and the bag, which was later found to contain three goats.

Following the incident, the Area Commander, Ipokia Area Command, ACC Aliu Yusuf, directed that a surveillance team to be set up to track down the fleeing suspects.

Ganzallo said Awahnse, also known as Ariwo Oja and a native of Odoforo in Ipokia Local Council, was eventually arrested on February 19 at about 1:30 p.m.

He added that the suspect allegedly confessed during preliminary investigation that he and an accomplice, identified as Ketonsu, also known as Ijagun, stole the goats at Ifonyintedo.

The suspect and the recovered exhibits have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Idiroko Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.