Ondo Police Condemn Attack On Ipele Police Station, Dismiss Church Attack Claims
About The Author
The Ondo State Police Command has condemned a violent attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters, which occurred on Tuesday night, December 31, 2025, describing it as a grievous assault on peace and public security.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc(+), mnips, clarified that contrary to reports circulating on social media, no church was attacked during the incident.
According to preliminary findings, the attack took place at about 9:41 p.m., when a group of between 20 and 30 armed men stormed the police facility, firing assault rifles and detonating explosives. The assailants reportedly set the station ablaze, resulting in the destruction of the building and several exhibits.
Police authorities confirmed that no life was lost in the incident as of the time of filing this report.
A joint security team comprising the Police, Military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other non-state actors was immediately mobilised to the scene upon receiving the distress call. However, the attackers had already fled before the arrival of the security operatives.
Reacting to the incident, CP Lawal strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “tragic and reprehensible,” while assuring residents that the situation is under firm control. He urged members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
The Commissioner has also ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets, including Tactical Teams, Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, as well as Police Mobile Force personnel to the area.
A coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators is currently underway, the Command said, adding that further developments would be communicated in due course.
The statement was issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command.
