JUST IN: Gunmen attack Ondo community, set police station ablaze
By Boye Oyeyemi –
Gunmen on Wednesday night attacked the Ipele community in Ondo State, setting the Divisional Police Headquarters in the area ablaze during a violent assault on the facility.
The Ondo State Police Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, condemned the attack and described it as a threat to public security.
The command clarified that, contrary to reports on social media, no church was attacked during the incident, stressing that the target was solely the police station.
It stated that between 20 and 30 armed men invaded the station at about 9:41 pm, firing assault rifles and detonating explosives, which led to the destruction of the building and several exhibits.
The police said no life was lost in the attack as of the time of filing the report, despite the extensive damage recorded at the facility.
A joint security team comprising the police, the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other partners was deployed to the area, but the attackers had escaped before their arrival.
The commissioner has ordered the deployment of additional tactical units, including EOD-CBRN teams and mobile police personnel, as a manhunt for the perpetrators continues.
