Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered intensified security patrols across communities and forest areas of the state following a violent attack on Ipele-Owo community in Owo Local Government Area.
The directive was given on Thursday during an emergency meeting with security chiefs in Akure, the state capital.
The attack occurred around 10pm on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve, when gunmen reportedly stormed the agrarian community, set the police station on fire and fired sporadically, forcing residents and police officers to flee.
An eyewitness said the attackers, said to be about 20 in number, invaded the community in a coordinated manner.
“It was a terrorist-like attack. The attackers 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.
Speaking after the security meeting at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Akure, Aiyedatiwa said the incident happened while many residents were attending night services to usher in the new year.
He said he immediately contacted the police and the Nigerian Army brigade commander after receiving reports of the attack, directing that security personnel be deployed to protect lives and property.
The governor noted that operatives of the Joint Operations Task Force and the Amotekun Corps were already carrying out patrols across the state, including forest areas.
“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,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa confirmed that only the police station was damaged, adding that the affected officers survived and rejoined patrol teams to prevent further attacks.
He said the emergency meeting focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response and strengthening measures to prevent a recurrence.
Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said the governor convened the meeting with heads of the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence and Amotekun to activate strategies to apprehend the attackers.
Lawal dismissed social media reports claiming casualties and attacks on churches, insisting that no life was lost and no church was affected.
“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.
He added that investigations were ongoing to assess the level of damage and determine whether any items were looted from the police armoury.
The commissioner maintained that Ondo State remained one of the safest states in southern Nigeria and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
