What began as a football game beside a Methodist Church in Osogbo, Osun State, ended with broken windows, a damaged vehicle and the arrest of five suspects after a ball was accidentally kicked into the church premises.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrests on Sunday, September 20, 2026, following an alleged attack on the Methodist Church Nigeria in the Fiwasaye area of the state capital.

According to the police, the incident began when some youths playing football on a vacant plot of land beside the church kicked their ball into the compound, breaking one of the church's louvre glass windows.

However, what appeared to be an ordinary football mishap allegedly escalated when the youths began throwing stones into the church premises, damaging additional windows and the rear windscreen of a Mitsubishi vehicle belonging to a church member.

Police said five suspects were arrested at the scene after officers responded to a distress call from the church.

In a statement issued by the command's spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the police said the distress call was received at approximately 10:40 a.m. on Sunday.

Officers from the Iludun Police Division subsequently arrived at the church and apprehended the suspects.

The five suspects were identified as Tajudeen Hassan, Adewale Yusuf, Kabiru Abdulsalam, Olanrewaju Abiodun and Adewale Mujidat.

Police also recovered a red Yamaha motorcycle with registration number LRG 143 QE from the scene.

The command did not disclose whether the motorcycle was used in the alleged attack or explain its connection to the suspects.

Following the arrests, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, directed that the matter be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the law.

The commissioner urged residents, particularly young people, to exercise restraint when disagreements arise and avoid actions that could lead to violence or the destruction of property.

He also assured members of the public that appropriate legal action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.

The police account links the incident to a football-related disagreement and does not establish that the alleged attack was religiously motivated.

The circumstances surrounding the escalation remain under investigation, and the suspects have not been convicted of any offence.

The command has yet to announce any formal charges or provide further details about possible prosecution.

For the church and its members, what started with a football entering the compound has now become a police matter involving damaged property and five suspects awaiting the outcome of an investigation.