Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ipele, Ondo State — Panic and fear gripped the Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area late on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, after a group of suspected terrorists launched a coordinated assault on local security infrastructure, setting the Ipele Divisional Police Station ablaze and plunging the community into chaos. The attack, which occurred just before midnight, disrupted New Year’s Eve preparations and underscored mounting security challenges in parts of southwestern Nigeria.
According to official statements issued by the Ondo State Police Command, a group of between 20 and 30 armed assailants entered Ipele at about 9:41 p.m., firing assault rifles and deploying explosives in what appears to have been a deliberately orchestrated assault on the police facility. The attackers set the police station on fire, destroying the building and several exhibits, before fleeing the scene ahead of the arrival of security reinforcements.
In a statement delivered early on Thursday, January 1, 2026, the state police condemned the attack as a “tragic and reprehensible act” that directly threatened the peace and security of the community. Police leadership clarified that, while extensive property damage occurred, preliminary reports indicated no confirmed fatalities at the time of reporting.
The assault has heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom fled their homes and sought refuge in nearby bushes or with neighbours as gunfire and explosions echoed through the town. Eyewitness accounts described the attackers operating in a “commando-style” formation, emphasising the sophistication and brutality of the raid. “It was a serious incident because many of us had to flee into the bush,” one resident recounted, describing the terrifying intensity of the gunshots and blasts.
State authorities have responded by deploying additional security personnel to the region, including tactical teams, explosive ordnance disposal units, and Police Mobile Force officers, in an effort to stabilise the situation, reassure frightened residents, and prevent further violence. A coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators has been launched as part of an intensified security operation.
The attack in Ipele comes against a backdrop of escalating insecurity in parts of Ondo State, where armed groups have increasingly targeted law enforcement and civilians. In the weeks leading up to this latest incident, gunmen opened fire on police officers at a checkpoint in the same area, injuring two officers and a civilian — an event that underscored the region’s vulnerability to violent crime and armed robbery. One suspect was later apprehended by security forces and is assisting with ongoing investigations.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the group responsible for the attack, and it remains unclear whether the perpetrators are linked to broader criminal networks such as bandits, local militias, or politically motivated insurgents. However, the nature of the assault — utilising firearms, explosives, and coordinated tactics — has prompted security analysts to treat the incident as more than a simple act of vandalism or opportunistic crime, instead suggesting possible terrorism-linked motives or the involvement of organized armed groups.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, has urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, pledging that all necessary measures are being taken to restore order and protect lives and property. He emphasised that the command is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and has called on local communities to provide any information that may aid the ongoing investigation.
Community leaders and civil society representatives have also decried the violence, calling on the federal and state governments to reinforce security deployments and enhance intelligence gathering in vulnerable areas. They warned that unchecked attacks of this nature could have cascading effects on social cohesion, economic activity, and overall public confidence, particularly as residents prepare to welcome the new year with heightened trepidation.
Local markets and commuter routes in and around Ipele remained subdued on Thursday morning as authorities continued to assess the extent of the damage. Businesses were shuttered, and many residents remained reluctant to return to their homes for fear of renewed violence. Some community members have called for increased night patrols and the establishment of community policing initiatives to supplement official security efforts. (
The psychological impact of the attack has been profound, particularly given the timing on the cusp of the New Year, a period traditionally associated with celebration and communal gathering. Parents reported children being awakened by the sounds of gunfire, and many adults described a sense of ongoing dread, questioning if further attacks might follow as security forces recalibrate their response.
Regional security analysts note that this latest incident reflects broader trends in parts of Nigeria where criminal gangs and insurgent elements have exploited governance gaps, local grievances, and limited security presence to execute high-impact attacks. These dynamics, they warn, could deepen unless comprehensive strategies — including community engagement, enhanced intelligence cooperation, and targeted socio-economic interventions — are prioritised alongside traditional security measures.
As of Thursday afternoon, residents in Ipele and surrounding communities remained on edge, with many awaiting further updates from both the police command and state government officials, who have pledged to communicate developments as investigations unfold. For now, the smoking ruins of the police station stand as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing communities across Ondo State and the urgent need for sustained and effective action to safeguard lives and restore public confidence in the rule of law.
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