Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Wednesday night laid siege on Ipele community, Owo Local Council Area of Ondo State, attacking the Divisional Police Station in the agrarian community.
The suspected bandits numbering about 20 storming the community on New Year’s Eve around 10:00pm with a barrage of sporadic gunshots.
The Divisional Police Station was set on fire.
According to sources, the situation has thrown residents into panic as well as forcing many to flee their homes for safety.
The residents, who were stunned by the incident, stated that the gunmen, who were armed to the teeth, targeted the police facility with heavy firepower before eventually razing it.
According to an eyewitness, who craved anonymity, the bandits, who operated for a few hours in Rambo style, overpowered the security operatives.
“It was a terrorist attack. The attackers, numbering about 20, came into the Ipele community 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,” he said.
With the motive of the attack yet to be ascertained as of press time, other residents described the incident as terrifying, stating that such had never been witnessed.
Meanwhile, official confirmation of casualties in the attack has not been issued, as security agencies, including the police, DSS, and Amotekun Corps, among others, have since been deployed.
Confirming the development, the police spokesperson in the state, Jimoh Abayomi, stated more details will be provided after proper briefing.
