Gunmen on Wednesday night launched an attack on Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, setting the divisional police station in the area ablaze.
The incident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, triggered panic as residents fled their homes and disrupted crossover church services across the community.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, estimated to be between 20 and 30 in number, stormed the agrarian community at about 9:41pm, firing shots indiscriminately.
The assailants were said to have used explosives before setting the police facility on fire.
A resident, who spoke anonymously, said the scale of the attack overpowered security personnel on duty, forcing residents to run into nearby bushes for safety.
“It was terrifying. People were running in different directions because of the heavy gunfire,” the resident said.
Other residents reported that streets usually bustling during crossover celebrations became deserted, as worshippers abandoned church services midway, shops shut down, and movement was restricted.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Thursday, Abayomi Jimoh, the state police spokesperson, said the target of the attack was the police station and not any church.
Jimoh disclosed that the assault resulted in the destruction of the station and some exhibits, adding that no casualties had been recorded as of the time of filing the report.
Adebowale Lawal, the commissioner of police in the state, condemned the incident, describing it as an “assault on peace and security in the state”.
He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the situation has been brought under control.
The commissioner ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams, explosive ordnance disposal units, and police mobile force personnel to the area, while a coordinated manhunt for the attackers has commenced.
The police said further updates would be issued as investigations continue.
