LESS than seven days to the ninth “Adult Harvest Thanksgiving Service” of the Celestial Church of Christ, Testimony Parish, Elerumoke, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, suspected thieves desecrated the temple of God and made away with two large cows meant for the celebration of the thanksgiving. The animals were worth about N2 million.
The thieves had struck last Saturday after the shepherd-in-charge of the parish and other notable leaders of the church had gone to bed.
Members of the various committees set up by the church were taken by surprise when they learnt of the theft.
A leader of the church identified as Oluso Ayo confirmed the incident to Saturday Tribune on Thursday.
He said: “The incident really happened. Suspected thieves invaded our church premises and made away with two cows meant for the harvest celebration. The cows, which were tethered, were untied by the suspected thieves.
“We saw the footprints of the thieves and the cows but we cannot say the exact place the animals were taken to.
“We learnt that such an incident had happened in the neighbourhood before, but not in our church.”
One of the church members who preferred anonymity said: “If this thing could happen in a church environment, where else is safe in this country?
“I have never heard before that thieves invaded a church and stole cows, not minding the sizes. The incident is a further confirmation that things have gone awry in this country.”
The church had earlier posted on its X account: “Hallelujah. Two missing Cows: Dear Celestials and the general public, these two huge cows were stolen where they were tied in the church premises at CCC, Testimony Parish, Elerumoke area, Egbeda, Iyana Ajia, Ibadan, Oyo State.
