News

Ondo Attack: Aiyedatiwa Directs Statewide Security Patrol

ByOlamilekan Adigun

PublishedJanuary 2, 2026

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered intensified security patrols across communities and forest areas of the state.

The directive followed a violent attack carried out by gunmen on Ipele-Owo community in Owo Local Government Area on Wednesday night, New Year’s Eve.

The attack, which occurred at about 10 pm, reportedly saw gunmen invade the agrarian community and set a police station ablaze, forcing officers and residents to flee as the attackers fired sporadically, causing panic in the town.

An eyewitness said the attackers, numbering about 20, stormed the community around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee their homes for safety.

“It was a terrorist-like attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community in a commando style and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele.

“It was a serious incident because many of us had to flee into the bush. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it,” the eyewitness said.

The governor during meeting with security chiefs n Akure, the state capital on Thursday, reviewed the response to the attack and measures to prevent a recurrence, Aiyedatiwa recalled that the incident occurred late on Wednesday night while many residents were attending night services to usher in 2026.

He said that upon receiving the report, he immediately contacted the police and the brigade commander of the Nigerian Army, directing that security personnel be deployed to support officers on patrol and protect residents.

The governor noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Corps, were already on patrol across the state and in forested areas.

He said, “Their rapid mobilisation ensured that the attackers, who gained access to the police station and discharged an explosive, were unable to harm anyone.

“Somehow, they were able to breach security, but the swift response of the security agencies helped greatly to curtail the situation. Nobody lost their life.”

Aiyedatiwa confirmed that only the police station was damaged, adding that the officers survived and rejoined their colleagues on patrol to prevent further criminal activity.

He explained that the emergency meeting with security chiefs focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response and ensuring that similar acts do not recur.

Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said the governor convened the emergency session with the heads of the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence and Amotekun to assess the situation and activate strategies to apprehend the perpetrators.

Lawal dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging casualties and attacks on churches, insisting that no lives were lost and no church was affected.

Olamilekan Adigun

Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.