The Ondo State Police Command has condemned a violent New Year’s Eve attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters, where gunmen used assault rifles and explosives to raze the facility.
Abayomi Jimoh, the spokesperson in.a statement on Thursday clarified that contrary to rumors circulating on social media, no church or religious center was targeted during the incident.
Jimoh noted that the attack was strictly directed at the police formation.
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He added that according to preliminary reports, the invasion began at approximately 9:41 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
He said a gang of armed men, estimated to be between 20 and 30 in number, stormed the station.
Jimoh added that the assault involved heavy gunfire, with the attackers using assault rifles to suppress any immediate resistance.
According to him, explosives, including dynamite, were deployed to breach the building, triggering a massive fire.
He said as a result, the entire station building and several legal exhibits were destroyed in the inferno.
Despite the intensity of the arson, Jimoh confirmed that no lives were lost in the attack.
He said a joint security team—comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, and local non-state actors—was mobilized to the scene shortly after the distress call. However, the assailants had already fled before their arrival.
In response, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has ordered the immediate reinforcement of the area.
Additional operational assets deployed to Ipele include tactical teams for specialized combat, EOD-CBRN Units (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) to sweep for any remaining undetonated devices and Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel to restore permanent order.
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“This is a tragic and reprehensible act against the peace and security of Ondo State,” Lawal stated, urging residents to remain calm as a coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators is currently underway.
He assured the public that the situation is firmly under control. Residents are encouraged to go about their New Year activities but remain vigilant.
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news
