Ipele Incident: Gov Aiyedatiwa meets security heads, commends agencies’ swift action

By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has commended security agencies in the state for their swift and coordinated response to the attack on a police station in Ipele, Owo Local Government Area, which occurred late on New Year’s Eve.

The Governor gave the commendation on Thursday after an emergency security meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, including the Police, the Military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Amotekun Corps.

He described the prompt intervention of security operatives as crucial in preventing loss of lives and further escalation of the incident.

Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the attack happened at a time when many residents were in churches observing crossover services into the new year.

He said upon receiving information about the incident, he immediately contacted the Commissioner of Police and the Brigade Commander, directing the deployment of additional personnel to reinforce patrol teams already operating across the state.

According to the Governor, although an explosive device was used to damage the police station, no life was lost and no police officer was killed during the incident. He attributed this to the effectiveness of the state’s joint security architecture, noting that security patrols, including forest surveillance by Amotekun Rangers, are maintained round the clock across Ondo State.

While expressing gratitude to God that the attack did not result in casualties, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured residents that his administration remains fully committed to protecting lives and property.

He said security agencies have been directed to strengthen intelligence gathering and take proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Governor urged residents to remain calm and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information, stressing that security remains a top priority of his administration and that all necessary steps are being taken to sustain peace and stability across the state.

Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, confirmed that no life was lost and no church was attacked, contrary to rumours circulating on social media.

He said investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, assuring that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“It is too early to conclude that they were terrorists. Once investigations are complete and arrests are made, we will identify those responsible,” the commissioner said.

Lawal reassured residents that Ondo State remains one of the safest states in Southern Nigeria and urged citizens to remain calm and maintain confidence in the security agencies.