The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed that Jeremiah Nwoke, the man accused of attempting to steal the crown of the Agemo deity statue in Ijebu Ode, is showing signs of mental instability.
Nwoke was apprehended on Saturday, April 12, 2025, after he allegedly tampered with the Agemo statue located at the Itoro Roundabout along Folagbade Road.
The golden statue—commissioned over two decades ago—was discovered desecrated by local residents early that morning. A viral video captured a man wearing a blue shirt lying motionless near the fallen statue, sparking rumors that he had died.
However, police have dispelled those claims. In a statement released on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola, clarified that the suspect is alive and in custody.
"A male adult, Jeremiah Nwoke, desecrated the revered Agemo Shrine by severing its crown, which has since been recovered and is now secured at the Obalende Police Station," Odutola said.
She added that the swift intervention of law enforcement helped prevent what could have escalated into a violent confrontation with outraged traditional worshippers.
“The prompt response by the police helped diffuse tension at the scene and averted potential unrest,” she noted.
Odutola further disclosed that Nwoke is currently undergoing psychological evaluation. “Preliminary observations suggest signs of mental instability,” she said.
Despite the incident, Odutola assured residents that Ijebu Ode remains peaceful. “The area is calm, and members of the public can go about their activities safely as the investigation continues,” she stated.
Leave a Reply