ILORIN, Kwara State – January 23, 2009 – One of Nigeria's most bizarre crime stories made international headlines in 2009 after police in Kwara State took custody of a goat following claims that it was an armed robbery suspect who had transformed into an animal through black magic.

According to reports at the time, members of a local vigilante group brought the black-and-white goat to the police station, insisting that it was one of two suspected robbers who attempted to steal a Mazda 323 before allegedly using supernatural powers to change into a goat while fleeing arrest.

The incident drew widespread public attention, with curious residents gathering at the police station to catch a glimpse of the animal.

Reacting to the development, Kwara State Police spokesperson, Tunde Mohammed, said the goat had indeed been handed over to the police by the vigilantes. However, he stressed that the police could not accept claims of supernatural transformation without evidence.

He explained that while the vigilantes believed the suspect had turned into a goat, the police required scientific proof before accepting such an extraordinary claim.

The unusual case quickly went viral and was reported by major international news organisations, including Reuters, making headlines around the world and sparking widespread debate over the influence of traditional beliefs and witchcraft allegations in parts of Nigeria.

To date, there has never been any evidence that a human being transformed into the goat, and the incident remains one of the most unusual episodes in Nigerian policing history.