The shepherd of a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), who was held hostage by a suspected gang of armed robbers, has been rescued by operatives of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps).
One of the suspects, identified as 24-year-old Ibrahim Ridwan, who inhabits in a scavengers' shed behind the Railway Police Station in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, was apprehended at the scene.
Disclosing this in a statement, the So-Safe Corps Commander, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, through the Corps Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf, said the marauders invaded Orelope Parish of the Celestial Church of Christ at Abule Owe, within Greenland Community along Rounder in the Abeokuta North Local Government Council Area.
In the incident that occurred on Thursday, July 18, the brutally attacked Shepherd, Tella Orelope, sustained severe injuries, and had one of his fingers chopped off and a cut on the right ear.
According to the statement, the Corps received intelligence report on Thursday, July 18, at about 4:00am, to the effect that the Shepard was under attack by armed robbers, following which the ACC Elijah Ogundimu-led Special Squad was deployed to rescue the victim and apprehend the suspects.
On the squad's arrival at the scene, the Shepherd was met drenched in his own blood, resulting from the machete cuts inflicted on him, even as one of the suspects, Ibrahim Ridwan, who was not as lucky as other fleeing members of the gang, was apprehended
During interrogation, the suspect confessed that their mission was to loot the church of its electronic appliances, cables and the Shepherd's motorbike.
He also admitted to attacking the Shepherd's wife for attempting to escape, apparently to raise an alarm.
Meanwhile, the statement added that the suspect and the exhibits found on him - a cutlass, scissors, and pliers- have been handed over to the Sabo-Ilupeju Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation and likely prosecution.
Commander Ganzallo, however, commended the Corps' special squad for its swift response to the distress call.
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