Man Dies While Attempting to Steal Holy Agemo Statue in Ijebu-Ode

A man identified as Jeremiah Kosesochi Nwoke has been reportedly died in dubious circumstances while allegedly attempting to steal the holy Agemo statue at the Itoro Roundabout in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The incident, which occurred early on Saturday, has sparked shock and rumors among the Ijebu people.

According to eyewitnesses and local reports, Nwoke was said to have been making multiple attempts to pull the culturally significant statue off during the night. Even though the statue was reinforced, he was said to have managed to dislodge it after multiple failed attempts. However, in a sudden twist, he was said to have collapsed and died instantly while trying to flee with the sculpture.

Witnesses who arrived later at the site of the accident said that no visible signs of violence or trauma were evident outside the body, which gave rise to speculations of spiritual retribution based on the religious implication of the statue.

The Agemo statue holds significant spiritual and cultural importance in Ijebuland as a representation of ancestral spirits and a symbol of protection and tradition.

It has a strong affinity with the Agemo Festival, perhaps the most important traditional ritual in Ijebu culture, and is considered a spiritual symbol by the Awujale of Ijebuland—the highest ruler of the kingdom.

The statue is also placed strategically near a roundabout that leads towards the Awujale’s ultramodern palace, thus contributing to its symbolic position within society.

The accident has got tongues wagging among residents, with the majority of them viewing the death of the man as a result of spiritual or divine anger for desecrating a revered object. While there were sympathies by some residents, others saw the incident as an object lesson for the rise in exploiting cultural heritage for monetary motives.

“This is not an ordinary statue,” said one of the community elders. “You do not play around with what the ancestors have blessed. It’s unfortunate, but it serves as a reminder that our customs are not to be toyed with.”

Local authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident at press time, but confirmation is in place that a process of investigation is underway. The statue has been recovered and reinstalled on its original location on the roundabout, allegedly.

Security authorities have also been deployed to the area to patrol, and local leaders have been urging people to remain calm while calling for respect of the cultural heritage of the town.