•Terrorists
Some suspected terrorists last night attacked Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State torching a church and the Divisional Police Station.
Sources disclosed that the perpetrators numbering about twenty invaded the community around 10pm and began to shoot, reports Daily Independent.
Eyewitnesses stated in the narration that the invaders targeted the police station in the community and razed.
They said the terrorists stormed the community and operated for several hours.
A source said: “It was a terrorist attack. The attackers numbering about 20, came to 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.”
Responding to the incident, the Spokesman to the Police Command, Jimoh Abayomi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) confirmed and condemned the attack.
In a statement signed by Abayomi, “The Ondo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, has condemned an attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters in Ondo State, which occurred on 31st December, 2025.
“The Command clarified that, contrary to reports circulating on social media, no church was attacked during the incident.
“According to preliminary reports, at about 9:41 p.m., a group of armed men numbering between 20 and 30 invaded the police station, firing assault rifles and deploying dynamite. The attackers set the station ablaze, leading to the destruction of the building and several exhibits.
“However, no life was lost in the attack as of the time of this report.
“Upon receipt of the report, a joint patrol comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, and other non-state actors promptly mobilized to the scene; however, the attackers had already carried out the act before their arrival.
“Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a tragic and reprehensible act against the peace and security of Ondo State. He urged members of the public to remain calm, assuring them that the situation is firmly under control.
“Consequently, the CP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets, including Tactical Teams, Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, and Police Mobile Force personnel to the area while the situation is under control. A coordinated manhunt for the attackers is currently underway.”
