Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Wednesday night laid siege to Ipele community in Owo Local Council Area of Ondo State, attacking and setting ablaze the Divisional Police Station in the agrarian town.
The assailants, said to be about 20 in number, reportedly stormed the community around 10:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, firing sporadic gunshots that threw residents into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the heavily armed attackers focused their assault on the police facility, overwhelming security operatives with superior firepower before eventually razing the station.
According to residents, the incident forced many people to flee their homes and seek refuge in nearby bushes for safety.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the attack as terrifying.
“It was like a terrorist operation. They came shooting everywhere before attacking the police station. Many of us ran into the bush because the sounds of gunshots were unbearable,” he said.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear as of press time. Residents noted that such an incident had never occurred in the community before.
Meanwhile, there has been no official confirmation of casualties. Security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Amotekun Corps, have since been deployed to the area.
Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Abayomi, said further details would be provided after a proper assessment of the situation.
