Gunmen on Wednesday, December 31, set ablaze the Ipele divisional police headquarters in Owo local government area of Ondo state.
The Ondo state police command, in a statement on Thursday, said the attack occurred at about 9:41 p.m., when a group of 20 to 30 armed men stormed the police station, firing assault rifles and detonating explosives.
The gunmen deployed dynamite during the operation, which resulted in extensive damage to the building and several exhibits within the facility.
“Upon receipt of the report, a joint patrol comprising the police, military, civil defence, and other non-state actors promptly mobilized to the scene; however, the attackers had already carried out the act before their arrival,” the statement read.
The commissioner of police, Adebowale Lawal, confirmed that while the station suffered heavy damage, no lives were lost.
He also clarified that social media reports claiming a church was attacked are false.
Lawal condemned the attack, describing it as a deliberate assault on public peace and security.
He assured residents of the affected community that security agencies have the situation under control and urged them to remain calm and vigilant.
The commissioner has since ordered the deployment of additional tactical assets to the area, including police mobile force units, tactical teams, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit.
A coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators has also been launched.
Comments