ONDO ATTACK: AIYEDATIWA ORDERS INTENSIFIED SECURITY PATROLS AFTER GUNMEN RAZE IPELE POLICE STATION
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By: Sefiu Ajape
Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed security agencies to intensify patrols across communities and forest regions of the state following a violent attack in Owo Local Government Area.
The order was given on Thursday during an emergency meeting with security chiefs in Akure, the state capital, convened after gunmen attacked Ipele-Owo community on Wednesday night, New Year’s Eve.
The incident, which occurred around 10pm, involved armed assailants storming the largely agrarian settlement and setting the local police station on fire. The attackers reportedly fired sporadically, forcing residents and police officers to flee and triggering widespread panic.
An eyewitness said about 20 gunmen invaded the community around 10:00 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and sending residents scampering for safety.
“It was a terrorist-like attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community in a commando style and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele.
“It was a serious incident because many of us had to flee into the bush. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it,” the eyewitness said.
Addressing journalists after the meeting held at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the gathering reviewed the incident, assessed the security response and outlined steps to prevent a recurrence.
He recalled that the attack took place late Wednesday night when many residents were attending night services to welcome the new year, 2026.
According to the governor, he promptly contacted the police and the brigade commander of the Nigerian Army upon receiving reports of the incident, directing the immediate deployment of additional personnel to reinforce patrols and safeguard residents.
Aiyedatiwa noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and the Amotekun Corps, were already conducting patrols across the state and within forested areas.
He said, “Their rapid mobilisation ensured that the attackers, who gained access to the police station and discharged an explosive, were unable to harm anyone.
“Somehow, they were able to breach security, but the swift response of the security agencies helped greatly to curtail the situation. Nobody lost their life.”
The governor confirmed that only the police station sustained damage, adding that the officers survived the attack and later rejoined their colleagues on patrol to forestall further criminal activity.
He explained that the emergency security meeting focused on reviewing the circumstances surrounding the attack, evaluating the effectiveness of the response and strengthening measures to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said the governor convened the emergency meeting with heads of the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence and Amotekun to assess the situation and activate strategies to apprehend those responsible.
Lawal debunked social media claims alleging casualties and attacks on churches, stressing that no life was lost and no church was affected during the incident.
He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of the damage, including whether any items were looted from the police armoury.
The commissioner, however, cautioned against prematurely describing the incident as terrorism.
“It is too early to conclude that they were terrorists. Once investigations are complete and arrests are made, we will identify those responsible,” he said.
Lawal reaffirmed that Ondo State remains one of the safest states in southern Nigeria and urged residents to remain calm while trusting the security agencies to restore and maintain peace.
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