- …police condemns attack, launches manhunt for the perpetrators
- …as Aiyedatiwa orders intensive security patrol
The Olowo of Owo Kingdom and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III has called on residents of Ipele to remain vigilant following the New Year’s Eve attack on a local police station.
In a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Sam Adewale, the monarch described the assault as “very sad and condemnable,” noting that it was intended to disrupt peace and spoil the festive spirit of the yuletide season.
Oba Ogunoye, who noted that no lives were lost in the attack, emphasized that the preservation of human life was a key relief despite the destruction of property.
He commiserated with the monarch of the community, the Nigeria Police Force, and the entire community, assuring them of his full support and solidarity during this difficult period.
The monarch urged citizens to be security-conscious and proactive, advising them to report any suspicious movements or unfamiliar faces to the nearest security agency or trusted community leaders.
He stressed that community cooperation with security agencies is crucial for protecting lives and property, adding that collective responsibility remains the most effective strategy against crime.
The statement added, “He prayed for divine protection over the people, security personnel, and the land, while expressing confidence that with unity, vigilance, cooperation with Security Agencies and God’s help, peace will continue to reign across Owo Local Government Area and Ondo State at large.”
While assessing the level of the attack on the Police Divisional Station, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, vowed to clamp down on the terrorists behind the violent attack and destruction of the police facility.
The police boss, who visited the affected station in the company of other officers of the command, further affirmed that no life was lost and no church was destroyed during the attack.
He explained that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has already held a meeting with the security chiefs, which included the police, the military, the DSS, NSCDC, and the Amotekun Corps, in order to get a proper briefing on the attack.
“Following the meeting held with the governor, we will be able to assess the situation of what happened yesterday and come up with strategies that we will activate in ensuring this attack doesn’t occur again in our state.
“Also, let me correct this rumour on social media. No life was lost, and no church was attacked, but I want to assure you that we are up to the task. We are going to ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly attack do not escape justice.
“Shortly after we leave here, we are going to meet again to continue with our deliberations, and that is going to be within the hands of the security agencies.
“You recall that prior to now, Ondo is one of the safest states in Nigeria. So if this happened yesterday, well, it’s something that we’ve been proactive about, but this time around, we are going to be reactive.”
He added, “At the end of the investigation, we will be able to come up with what and what was looted, and if it is a terrorist attack, well, I wouldn’t call it a terrorist attack because we’ve not made arrests. We’ve not ascertained the veracity of that information.
“By the time we make an arrest and complete our investigation, we will be able to come up with something, whether they are actually terrorists. But the good people of Ondo should be assured that we don’t have terrorists in Ondo State.
“The governor has given us a marching order that the perpetrators should be arrested in no time, and we have just commenced the investigation. At the end of the investigation, if we are arrested, we need to come up with who and who were behind the attack. So, it’s too premature for us to conclude that they were terrorists.”
Following the attack, Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the attack occurred while many residents were attending night services to usher in 2026.
The governor said that upon receiving the report, he immediately contacted the police and the Brigade Commander of the army, instructing that security personnel be deployed to support officers on patrol and protect residents.
Aiyedatiwa, however, has directed intensified patrols across communities and forest areas, stressing that security remains a 24-hour responsibility, particularly during festive periods.
He noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Rangers, were already on patrol throughout the state and in forested areas.
“Just yesterday night, while a lot of citizens, some were in the church, praising God for the night to transit to the New Year. We had the ugly news about an attack by some unknown gunmen in our communities, precisely Ipele, where a police station was attacked.
“Immediately, I made a call through to the police and the Brigade Commander, and instruction was given that men should be deployed to the area to support the people in the area, especially those on patrol, because we always have our men, the security joint operation task force, on patrol at every point in time across the state.
“And also our forests, our men are there, especially the Amotekun rangers. So we have always been at a lot, but somehow they were able to beat, maybe beat the security or whatever happens. They were able to have access to the police station where an explosive was discharged, but no life was lost.
“The swift response of the security agencies helped the situation because nobody knew what their missions or intentions were, but they were able to carry out their mission or activity because maybe they had the intention of even going to some churches.
“Just like we had about three years ago, precisely June 2022, when some bandits or terrorists, if you like, attacked one of the churches, St. Francis Catholic Church, where lives were lost. But this time, no life was lost, and we give our thanks to God.
“It wasn’t what we should start the new year with, but you never can tell about the plans of these people. They look for times when people are relaxed, or they’re not expecting something to happen, especially in preparation for New Year celebrations. But on our side, the security agencies know that security is 24-7 work.
“They were able to move swiftly into the area, the patrol team, and some other men who were deployed. So no life was lost, only the police station that was raised through the explosion. No policeman lost his life.
“They were all alive and were able to join the other men in doing the patrol, and to ensure that they can carry out other criminal activities. So that’s the situation.”
The attack occurred barely 48 hours after the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, announced the arrest of 39 suspected terrorists in the state.
The Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Akure, had said the suspects were arrested at the Elegbeka area of Ose Local Government Area after allegedly fleeing Sokoto State following United States airstrikes targeting militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the attack comes two months after a leaked memo by the Department of State Services (DSS) addressed to the 32 artillery brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, revealing that members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are planning to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo.
The memo stated that intelligence confirmed plans by members of the ISWAP terrorist group to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon.
“Some identified target locations within Ondo State include Eriti Akoko, Oyin Akoko communities in Akoko North West LGA, and Owo town in Owo LGA, respectively.
“It was further gathered that the groups have commenced surveillance on potential soft targets in the above-mentioned locations.
“Consequently, there is a need to scale up the level of security alertness in the various communities to forestall any untoward situation.”
Although the state government had said the leaked security memo from the DSS warning of a possible terrorist attack in the state was “part of regular intelligence reports.”
Idowu Ajanaku, the Ondo commissioner for information and orientation, had said such intelligence reports are routine and form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to identify and prevent potential threats while ensuring the public that the intelligence is being taken seriously, with appropriate precautions already in place to safeguard residents.
Ajanaku emphasised the importance of vigilance and cooperation between the public and security agencies to effectively respond to any threat.
