Gunmen on Wednesday night launched an attack on Ipele, a community in Owo LGA of Ondo State, setting the divisional police station in the area on fire.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident, which happened on New Year’s Eve, caused panic among residents, who fled their homes as gunshots rang out across the community.
Crossover church services were disrupted, with many worshippers abandoning programmes midway due to fear.
Witnesses said the attackers, believed to be between 20 and 30 in number, stormed the agrarian town around 9:41 pm and fired repeatedly into the air.
The assailants were also reported to have used explosives before eventually setting the police facility ablaze.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said security operatives on duty were overwhelmed by the scale of the attack, forcing many residents to run into nearby bushes for safety.
The resident said, “It was terrifying. People were running in different directions because of the heavy gunfire.”
Other residents said streets that are usually crowded during crossover celebrations became empty, as shops closed early and movement was largely restricted.
Ondo State Police Command later confirmed the incident. In a statement issued on Thursday, the state police spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, said the attackers targeted the police station and not any religious centre.
According to him, the station and some exhibits were destroyed during the attack, but no casualty was recorded at the time of reporting.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, condemned the incident, describing it as an assault on peace and security in the state.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that the situation has been brought under control. The police chief also directed the deployment of additional tactical teams, police mobile force operatives, and explosive ordnance disposal units to the area, while a manhunt for the attackers has been intensified.
The police said investigations are ongoing and further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.
