The Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps, widely known as So-Safe Corps, has apprehended a 27-year-old man suspected of stealing three goats in Ipokia Local Government Area.
The arrest took place during a church event, highlighting the suspect’s boldness in carrying out the alleged crime.
The suspect, Emmanuel Awahnse, was reportedly apprehended during the naming ceremony of his child at a local church, raising concerns about the audacity and timing of the alleged crime.
According to a statement released by the Corps Commander, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, through the Director of Information, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, the suspect had been under surveillance since he was first spotted in a suspicious act on February 6, 2026.
At around 5:00 a.m., operatives attached to the Ifonyintedo Division noticed two men riding a motorcycle along the Madoga–Ita-Ege Road.
They were carrying a black bag, and their behavior immediately drew the attention of the patrol officers.
On sighting the security operatives, the suspects reportedly attempted to escape, accelerating their motorcycle and abandoning the bag in a bid to flee the scene.
Upon inspection, the abandoned bag was found to contain three goats, believed to have been stolen from the nearby community.
This discovery triggered a full-scale manhunt for the suspects, with the Area Commander of the Ipokia Area Command, ACC Aliu Yusuf, directing a surveillance team to track them down.
Dr. Ganzallo emphasized that the suspect, also known by the alias Ariwo Oja and a native of Odoforo in Ipokia, was eventually located and arrested on February 19, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m.
He was apprehended at a church during a naming ceremony—a gathering that often draws significant community attendance—highlighting both the boldness of the alleged act and the diligence of the So-Safe Corps operatives in maintaining vigilance across the local area.
During preliminary interrogation, Awahnse allegedly confessed that he and an accomplice, identified as Ketonsu, also known as Ijagun, carried out the goat theft at Ifonyintedo.
Authorities reported that the stolen animals were meant to be sold in local markets, a common motive behind livestock-related crimes in the region.
The suspect’s admission of involvement underscores the persistence of such criminal activities and the importance of proactive community policing to deter similar incidents.
The recovered goats have been carefully handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Idiroko Division, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Dr. Ganzallo reiterated that the collaborative efforts between the So-Safe Corps and the Nigeria Police Force are critical in curbing goat theft and other forms of livestock-related crimes in Ogun State.
The Corps also reminded the public to report suspicious activities and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Community reactions to the arrest have been largely supportive, with many praising the proactive role of the So-Safe Corps in safeguarding local livelihoods.
Livestock farming remains an essential economic activity in Ipokia and surrounding areas, making the fight against goat theft not only a matter of law enforcement but also of protecting the community’s economic stability.
Residents have expressed concern about the frequency of such thefts and urged authorities to continue proactive surveillance to prevent criminals from exploiting public events like church ceremonies.
The Ogun State So-Safe Corps has a longstanding mandate to ensure community safety, social orientation, and the prevention of crimes such as livestock theft.
Corps Commander Dr. Ganzallo highlighted that the arrest of Emmanuel Awahnse serves as a warning to would-be criminals and demonstrates the effectiveness of routine patrols combined with strategic surveillance operations.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Nigeria Police Force, Idiroko Division, is expected to determine the extent of the suspect’s network and whether additional accomplices were involved in the goat theft.
Authorities have assured the public that justice will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law and that recovered animals will be returned to their rightful owners.
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