BREAKING: Gunmen Set Divisional Police Station Ablaze In Ondo Community On New Year Day
Suspected terrorists on Wednesday night attacked Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, setting the Divisional Police Station ablaze and throwing residents into panic.
It was gathered that the attackers, said to be about 20 in number, stormed the community around 10 p.m., shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee their homes in fear.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants specifically targeted the police facility in the community, which was eventually razed during the attack.
One of the witnesses, who pleaded anonymity, described the incident as a coordinated assault.
He said the attackers operated in a commando-style manner for several hours while security personnel were reportedly overwhelmed by the intensity of the attack.
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“It was a terrorist attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into Ipele community in a commando style and started shooting sporadically before attacking the Divisional Police Station.
“Many of us had to flee into the bush. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and no one could withstand it,” he said.
Other residents also described the incident as horrifying, saying many people escaped into nearby bushes to avoid being harmed.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation of casualties, although security agencies which include men of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army and Amotekun Corps have since been deployed to the area.
When contacted, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Jimoh Abayomi, confirmed the attack to the Nation in an interview but said details were still sketchy.
Abayomi added that the command would provide further information after receiving a proper briefing.
The attack has heightened fear among residents, who called on the government to strengthen security presence and protect vulnerable communities from recurring assaults.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, announced the arrest of 39 suspected terrorists in the state.
The Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, while briefing journalists on Tuesday in Akure, said the suspects were arrested at the Elegbeka area of Ose Local Government Area after allegedly fleeing Sokoto State following United States airstrikes targeting militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the attack comes two months after a leaked memo by the Department of State Services (DSS) addressed to the 32 artillery brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, revealing that members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) are planning to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo.
The memo had stated that intelligence confirmed plans by members of ISWAP terrorist group to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon.
“Some identified target locations within Ondo State include, Eriti Akoko, Oyin Akoko communities in Akoko North West LGA and Owo town in Owo LGA respectively.
“It was further gathered that the groups have commenced surveillance on potential soft targets in the above mentioned locations.
“Consequently, there is a need to scale up the level of security alertness in the various communities to forestall any untoward situation.”
Although, the state government had said leaked security memo from the DSS warning of a possible terrorist attack in the state was “part of regular intelligence reports.”
Idowu Ajanaku, the Ondo commissioner for information and orientation, had said such intelligence reports are routine and form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to identify and prevent potential threats.
He reassured the public that the intelligence is being taken seriously, with appropriate precautions already in place to safeguard residents.
Ajanaku emphasised the importance of vigilance and cooperation between the public and security agencies to effectively respond to any threat.
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