The Ondo police command, on Thursday, confirmed an attack by armed men on Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters.
A statement by the command’s spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh, said the attack took place on Wednesday at about 9:41 p.m.
“At about 9:41 p.m., a group of armed men numbering between 20 and 30 invaded the police station, firing assault rifles and deploying dynamite. The attackers set the station ablaze, leading to the destruction of the building and several exhibits. However, no life was lost in the attack as of the time of this report.”
“Upon receipt of the report, a joint patrol comprising the Police, Military, Civil Defence, and other non-state actors promptly mobilized to the scene; however, the attackers had already carried out the act before their arrival,” said the statement.
The police commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, described the attack as “a tragic and reprehensible act against the peace and security of Ondo state”.
“The CP has ordered the immediate deployment of additional operational assets, including Tactical Teams, Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) units, and Police Mobile Force personnel to the area while the situation is under control,” the statement added. “A coordinated manhunt for the attackers is currently underway.”