Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed security agencies to scale up patrols in towns, villages and forest corridors across the state following an attack on the Ipele Police Station in Owo Local Government Area on New Year’s Eve.
The governor said security operations must remain continuous, particularly during festive seasons, and praised security operatives for their prompt action, which he said prevented casualties and wider destruction. He also refuted claims circulating online that the state was under siege.
Dr Aiyedatiwa spoke on Thursday after an emergency security meeting at the Government House in Akure, where leaders of various security agencies reviewed the incident and agreed on measures to forestall a repeat.
According to the governor, the attack took place late on Wednesday night when many residents were attending crossover church services. He explained that upon receiving the report, he immediately contacted senior police officials and the Army Brigade Commander to deploy reinforcements and strengthen patrols in affected areas.
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He noted that security formations, including the Joint Operations Task Force and the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, were already conducting routine patrols across communities and forest zones. Their rapid response, he said, ensured that the assailants, who breached the police facility and detonated an explosive device, did not succeed in causing harm.
He confirmed that the damage was limited to the police station, stressing that no officer was killed during the incident and that affected personnel had since resumed patrol duties.
Also speaking, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said the emergency meeting involved the police, military, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun, with the aim of reviewing the situation and activating strategies to track down those responsible.
Lawal dismissed reports alleging fatalities or attacks on churches, insisting that no lives were lost and no religious facility was targeted. He added that investigations were ongoing to assess the damage and determine whether any weapons were taken from the station’s armoury, urging the public to avoid speculation.
He said conclusions on the identity or motive of the attackers would only be made after investigations are concluded and suspects arrested.
