Hunger Crisis: Thieves Steal Harvest Cows from Celestial Church

In a sign of growing hunger, thieves invade a Celestial Church and steal cows meant for its annual harvest celebration. 

Just under a week before the ninth “Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Service” at the Celestial Church of Christ, Testimony Parish in Elerumoke, Iyana Ajia, Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, suspected thieves violated the sacred space and stole two large cows intended for the thanksgiving celebration. The animals were valued at approximately N2 million.

The thieves targeted the church last Saturday, after the shepherd-in-charge and other prominent leaders of the parish had retired to bed.

The committee members organized by the church were caught off guard upon discovering the theft.

Oluso Ayo, a church leader, confirmed the incident to Saturday Tribune on Thursday.

He stated, “The incident truly occurred. Suspected thieves broke into our church premises and stole two cows intended for the harvest celebration. The cows were tied up but were untethered by the suspected criminals.”

We observed the footprints left by the thieves and cows, but we cannot determine where exactly the animals were taken.

“We discovered that a similar incident had occurred in the neighborhood before, but not within our church.”

A church member who wished to remain anonymous remarked, “If such an incident can occur in a church setting, where else is safe in this country?”

“I had never heard of thieves breaking into a church and stealing cows, regardless of their size. This incident further confirms that things have deteriorated in this country.”

Earlier, the church shared on its X account: “Hallelujah. Two Missing Cows: Attention Celestials and the general public, these two large cows have been stolen from where they were tied at CCC Testimony Parish in Elerumoke area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia, Ibadan, Oyo State.”

We were informed that such incidents weren’t new in the neighborhood, but this is the first time we’ve experienced it in our church.