By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The police in Ogun State have arrested one suspect, Jeremiah Nwoke, in connection with desecration of Agemo statue in Itori Roundabout area of Ijebu Ode.
The police said the suspect desecrated the revered Agemo shrine by severing its crown but added that severed part had been retrieved and kept in police custody.
The police spokesperson in the state, CSP Omolola Odutola who confirmed this on Sunday in a statement stressed that the suspect was undergoing psychological evaluation, as initial observations suggested signs of mental instability.
“The Agemo statue at Itoro Roundabout, Ijebu Ode was reportedly damaged on Saturday, 12th April 2025. A male adult, Jeremiah Nwoke, desecrated the revered Agemo Shrine by severing its crown which has since been recovered and in safe custody at Obalende Police Station.
“Prompt response by the police at the scene calmed tension and prevented potential violent escalation by traditional worshippers. The suspect is presently undergoing psychological evaluation, as initial observations suggest signs of mental instability.
“Ijebu Ode remains calm. Members of the public are assured of their safety as investigation into the incident continues.”
The Daily Crucible reported on Saturday that a young man has come to a sudden tragic end trying to cart away the highly dreaded Agemo symbol of the Ijebu nation in Ogun State, after he had allegedly uprooted its heavily – padded statue in Ijebu – Ode, the traditional headquarters of Ijebuland.
It was learnt from multiple sources that the strange man and others at large attacked the status overnight located at the roundabout leading to the ultramodern palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, ostensibly to cart it away but the highly feared gods moved fast and struck one down
It was learnt that the young man approached the foot of the statue with “16 Ako stone” and “schnapps gin” in what some interpreted as an attempt to appease the gods before the botched bid to loot.
According to a source, the deceased had actually succeeded in taking “the crown of the agemo statue” before the deity said enough and struck him down after moving the severed parts some feet away from the symbolic image of deity.
Residents were seen in their hundreds forming a ring of curious onlookers around the remains of the man with many wondering in awe how and why someone could dare attempt to dismantle the property of the Agemo deity to loot the religious cum cultural artifacts.
