Chaos and fear gripped the Ipele-Owo community in Ondo State on Wednesday evening as a large group of armed bandits launched a brazen assault on the local police divisional station. The attack, which occurred around 10 PM on December 31, 2025, sent both officers and residents scrambling for safety, disrupting crossover church service preparations.
Eyewitnesses Describe Terrifying Assault
According to accounts from locals, approximately twenty attackers stormed the community in a commando-style operation. They fired their weapons indiscriminately, creating panic before focusing their assault on the police facility. An anonymous eyewitness described the scene as a "terrorist attack", forcing many to flee into nearby bushes for cover.
"The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it," the source recounted, highlighting the severity of the incident. The assailants ultimately set the police station on fire, causing significant damage to the building and infrastructure.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigations
When contacted, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the attack on the Ipele Divisional Station. He stated that details were still sketchy at the moment but promised more information would be released. "Yes it happened but we will get the details out tomorrow," Abayomi said.
In response to the crisis, state security operatives were swiftly deployed to the community to restore calm and prevent further violence. The attack underscores the persistent security challenges faced in some parts of the state.
Recent Police Breakthrough Against Banditry
This attack comes shortly after the Nigeria Police Force announced a major breakthrough in its fight against banditry and kidnapping. In a statement issued on Friday by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the arrest of two suspected kingpins was disclosed.
The suspects, identified as Abubakar Usman (26) and Shehu Mohammadu (30), were arrested on December 19, 2025. The covert operation was conducted by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in collaboration with the Kwara State Police Command along the Komen–Masallaci axis in Kaiama LGA.
Items recovered from the suspects included:
- A brand new red Honda Ace 125 motorcycle valued at ₦1.85 million.
- ₦500,000 in cash suspected to be unspent ransom money.
- One AK-47 rifle with a magazine loaded with 20 rounds of live ammunition.
The police stated the men were intercepted while allegedly on a criminal mission and are linked to violent crimes across four states. This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle networks responsible for terrorizing citizens, even as new attacks, like the one in Ipele-Owo, continue to pose serious threats.
