Panic gripped the agrarian community of Ipele in Ondo State on New Year's Eve as suspected bandits launched a brazen attack on the Divisional Police Station, setting the facility ablaze after a heavy exchange of gunfire.
Chaos and Terror on New Year's Eve
The assault began around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, when approximately 30 armed men stormed the community in the Owo Local Council Area. Eyewitnesses described a scene of terror as the attackers fired assault rifles sporadically and detonated dynamite, their primary target being the police station.
"It was a terrorist attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station," an anonymous eyewitness recounted. The intensity of the gunfire and explosions forced many residents to abandon their homes and flee into the nearby forest for safety.
Police Response and Official Account
The Ondo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the incident. He stated that the armed invaders, numbering between 20 and 30, attacked the station at about 9:41 p.m. using firearms and explosives.
Abayomi clarified that, contrary to rumors on social media, no church was attacked during the incident and no lives were lost. He described the act as "a tragic act against the peace and security of the state."
The attack resulted in the complete destruction of the police building and several exhibits stored there. In response, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate deployment of additional forces to the area, including:
- Tactical Teams
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD-CBRN) units
- Police Mobile Force personnel
A coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators is currently underway. The police assured the public that the situation is now firmly under control and urged residents to remain calm.
Broader Security Context in Ondo
This violent incident occurs against a tense security backdrop in the state. It follows a recent revelation by the Commander of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, that over 35 suspected terrorists fleeing airstrikes in Sokoto State were recently apprehended in a forest within Ondo.
The motive for the New Year's Eve attack on the Ipele police station remains unclear. However, it has left the community in shock, with residents describing it as a terrifying event never before witnessed in the area. Security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Amotekun Corps, maintain a strong presence in the community as investigations continue.
