Gunmen on Wednesday night attacked Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, setting the divisional police station in the area on fire.
The attack, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, threw the community into panic, forcing residents to flee their homes and disrupting crossover church services.
Eyewitnesses said between 20 and 30 armed men invaded the agrarian community at about 9:41 p.m., firing shots sporadically. The attackers reportedly used explosives before setting the police facility ablaze.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intensity of the attack overwhelmed security operatives and forced residents to flee into nearby bushes.
“It was terrifying. People were running in different directions because of the heavy gunfire,” the resident said.
Residents said normally busy streets were deserted as worshippers abandoned church services midway, shops were shut, and movement was restricted across the community.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said the attack was targeted at the police station and not any church.
According to him, the station and some exhibits were destroyed, but no casualty was recorded as of the time of filing the report.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, condemned the attack, describing it as an “assault on peace and security in the state.”
He assured residents that the situation was under control and ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams, explosive ordnance disposal units, and police mobile force personnel to the area. A coordinated manhunt for the attackers has also been launched.
Police said further updates would be provided as investigations continue.