Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered intensified security patrols across communities and forest areas following an attack on the Ipele Police Station in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, on New Year’s Eve.
He said security remains a 24-hour responsibility, especially during festive periods, and commended security agencies for their swift response, which prevented further damage and loss of life. He also dismissed reports suggesting that Ondo State was under siege.
Governor Aiyedatiwa spoke on Thursday after convening an emergency security meeting at the Government House in Akure, the Ondo State capital. The meeting brought together heads of security agencies to review the incident, assess the response, and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
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According to the Governor, the attack occurred late on Wednesday night while many residents were attending night services to usher in the New Year. He said that immediately after receiving the report, he contacted police authorities and the Army Brigade Commander to deploy additional personnel to support patrol teams and protect residents.
He noted that security operatives, including the Joint Operations Task Force and the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), were already conducting patrols across the state and in forested areas. Their rapid mobilisation, he said, ensured that the attackers who breached 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,” the governor said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa confirmed that only the police station was damaged, adding that all officers survived the attack and rejoined their colleagues on patrol to prevent further criminal activity.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, also addressed the incident, saying the governor convened the emergency meeting with the heads of the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence Corps, and Amotekun to evaluate the situation and activate strategies to apprehend the perpetrators.
Lawal dismissed social media reports claiming casualties or attacks on churches, stressing that no lives were lost and no church was affected. He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the damage, including whether any items were looted from the police armoury, cautioning against premature conclusions.
“It is too early to conclude that they were terrorists. Once investigations are complete and arrests are made, we will identify those responsible,” the commissioner said.