By RismadarVoice Media
January 2, 2026
Ondo State Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has ordered intensified security patrols across communities, forested areas following a violent attack by gunmen on Ipele-Owo community in Owo Local Government Area on Wednesday night, New Year’s Eve.
The attack, which occurred around 10:00p.m., saw about 20 gunmen storm the agrarian community, firing sporadically and setting the Ipele Police Divisional Station ablaze, according to eyewitnesses.
Residents fled their homes into the bush as panic spread through the town.
“It was a terrorist-like attack. The attackers came in a commando style, began shooting sporadically before targeting the police station. Many of us had to flee into the bush. The sounds were terrifying,” an eyewitness said.
In response, Governor Aiyedatiwa convened an emergency meeting with heads of security agencies at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Akure, to review the incident, measures to prevent recurrence.
He confirmed that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Corps, were quickly mobilized.
“The attackers gained access to the police station, discharged an explosive, but thanks to the rapid response of our security agencies, no one was harmed. Some damage occurred to the police station, but officers survived, returned to patrol in preventing further criminal activity,” the Governor said.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal said the emergency session involved the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence, and Amotekun, with a focus on apprehending the perpetrators.
Lawal dismissed social media reports claiming casualties or attacks on churches, emphasizing that no lives were lost, no church was affected.
He added that while the incident involved a serious breach of security, it is too early to label it a terrorist attack, pending arrests and investigation.
