Panic gripped the agrarian community of Ipele in Owo Local Council of Ondo State as the New Year's Eve celebrations were shattered by a violent attack on the local police station. A large group of heavily armed men, suspected to be bandits, stormed the facility, setting it ablaze after a prolonged assault involving gunfire and explosives.
Chaos and Terror on New Year's Eve
The attack commenced at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2025. According to witnesses and official reports, between 20 and 30 assailants invaded the Ipele Divisional Police Station. They fired assault rifles sporadically and detonated explosives, including dynamite, creating an atmosphere of terror. The sound of gunshots and blasts forced residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge in nearby bushes.
An anonymous eyewitness described the scene as a terrorist attack. "The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station," the source said. "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."
Police Response and Official Confirmation
The Ondo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the incident. He stated that the attackers successfully set the station on fire, destroying the building and several exhibits stored there. In a statement aimed at curbing misinformation, Abayomi clarified that no church was attacked during the incident, contrary to rumors circulating on social media.
Most importantly, the police spokesperson confirmed that no lives were lost during the assault. He described the event as a tragic attack on the peace and security of the state. Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police ordered an immediate and significant reinforcement of the area.
Massive Security Deployment and Manhunt Launched
In response to the brazen attack, a coordinated security operation is now underway. The police have deployed additional assets to Ipele and surrounding areas. These include:
- Tactical Teams from the police force.
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units.
- Personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF).
Other security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the state's Amotekun Corps, have also been deployed. A manhunt for the perpetrators is currently in progress.
This attack occurred just days after the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that over 35 suspected terrorists fleeing airstrikes in Sokoto State had been arrested in a forest within Ondo. The motive for the New Year's Eve attack on the Ipele police station remains unestablished, leaving residents anxious as security forces work to restore calm.
