Ipele: Gov Aiyedatiwa orders intensified community patrols in the area.
Date: 1st January, 2026
By Olusegun HOSEA, Akure
The recent bombing attack carried out on the Police Station in Ipele, in Owo Local Government Area, by suspected terrorists has prompted Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to swing into action by charging the security agencies in the state to continually intensify their actions on security across all territorial boundaries linking the community and its environs. According to him, security remains the business of everyone and so, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed the security agencies to intensify patrols across communities and forest areas, stressing that security remains a 24-hour responsibility, particularly during festive periods.
Speaking, the Governor reviewed the response of the people after the attack, as he spoke on thursday after an emergency meeting with the heads of security agencies at the Presidential Lodge of the Government House in Akure, where he reviewed the response to the attack and measures to prevent its recurrence. He explained that the attack occurred late on Wednesday night while many residents were attending night services to usher in 2026. Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Rangers, were already on patrol throughout the state and in forested areas.
He said 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,” the Governor said. He added that the emergency meeting with security chiefs focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response, and ensuring that similar acts do not happen again.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, said the Governor convened the emergency session with the heads of the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence and Amotekun to assess the situation and activate strategies to apprehend the perpetrators.
Lawal dismissed reports circulating on social media suggesting casualties or attacks on churches, affirming that no lives were lost and no church was affected.
Similarly, he added that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of damage, including items looted from the police armoury, cautioning that it is premature to label the incident as a terrorist attack until arrests are made.
“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.
