By SEGUN GIWA

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Thursday met with state heads of security agencies following the new year’s eve attack on Ipele Police Station in Owo Local Government Area of the state.

Aiyedatiwa said he had directed intensified patrols across communities and forest areas, stressing that security remained a 24-hour responsibility, particularly during festive periods.

The governor, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Akure after the meeting, said it was important to review and respond to the attack with 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.

Aiyedatiwa also said that upon receiving the report, he immediately contacted the Police and the Brigade Commander of the Nigeria Army.

“I instructed that security personnel be deployed to support officers on patrol and protect residents.

“Security operatives, including members of the Joint Operations Task Force and Amotekun Rangers, were already on patrol throughout the state and in forested areas.

“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. No life was lost.

“Only the police station was damaged. All officers survived and were able to rejoin their colleagues on patrol to prevent further criminal activity.

“The emergency meeting with security chiefs focused on reviewing the incident, assessing the security response, and ensuring that similar acts do not happen again,” he said.

Also speaking with newsmen, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, said the governor convened the emergency session with the heads of the police, military, DSS, Civil Defence and Amotekun.

According to him, the meeting is 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.

He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of damage, including items looted from the police armoury.

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

Lawal reassured residents that Ondo State remained one of the safest states in Southern Nigeria, and urged citizens to remain calm and maintain confidence in security agencies. (NAN, but headline rejigged)

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