Olushola Omogbehin
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has ordered tight security patrols across villages, towns and forest areas of the state.
He gave this directive during a meeting with security chiefs in Akure which was a reaction to a new year’s eve attack by gunmen in Ipele-Owo community in Owo Local Government Area.
The gunmen invaded the community and set a police station ablaze, making officers and residents to run for their lives as the attackers caused serious panic in the town.
The account of an eye witness revealed that the robbers numbering about 20, took the community unaware at about10:00 p.m. on the said date with sporadic gunshot thereby making residents to flee for safety.
“It was a terrorist-like attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community in a commando style and began to shoot sporadically before attacking the Police Divisional Station in Ipele.
“It was a serious incident because many of us had to flee into the bush. The sounds from the attack were terrifying, and none of us could withstand it.”
Reacting to the incident, Aiyedatiwa said he contacted the police and the brigade commander of the Nigerian Army after receiving the report, directing that security personnel be deployed to support officers on patrol in order to protect residents of the state.
According to the governor, security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Corps, were already on patrol across the state and in forested areas.
“Their rapid mobilisation ensured that the attackers, who gained access to the police station and discharged an explosive, were unable to harm anyone.
“Somehow, they were able to breach security, but the swift response of the security agencies helped greatly to curtail the situation. Nobody lost their life.”
Aiyedatiwa said the officers in the station survived and rejoined their colleagues on patrol to prevent further criminal activity but the police station was damaged.
Speaking, the Commissioner of Police of the state, Adebowale Lawal, said it is too early to conclude that the attackers are terrorists.
“It is too early to conclude that they were terrorists. Once investigations are complete and arrests are made, we will identify those responsible.”
