SUNTV Global Channel | January 1, 2026
Tension gripped Ipele community in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State in the early hours of New Year’s Day after suspected terrorists launched a violent attack on a police station, setting the facility and several vehicles ablaze in what residents described as a coordinated assault.
SUNTV Global Channel gathered that the attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday, January 1, 2026, when armed assailants stormed the police station, overwhelming the area before burning down the entire facility. The incident shattered the calm that usually accompanies New Year celebrations, plunging the community into fear and uncertainty.
Eyewitnesses told SUNTV Global Channel that loud gunshots were heard before the police station was set on fire, causing residents to wake up in panic. Many families reportedly fled their homes immediately, while others went into hiding as thick smoke rose from the burning station.
A video obtained by SUNTV Global Channel showed the police station fully engulfed in flames, with multiple patrol vehicles and other property within the premises also destroyed by fire. The extent of damage suggests the attackers had sufficient time to carry out the assault before retreating.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no independent confirmation of casualties or fatalities. However, hours after the attack, security personnel believed to be police officers were seen at the scene, carefully inspecting the burnt structure and assessing the level of destruction.
Efforts by SUNTV Global Channel to obtain an official response from the Ondo State Police Command proved unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned as of press time. The silence has further heightened anxiety among residents who fear possible follow-up attacks.
The latest incident has revived concerns over rising insecurity in Ondo State, which has in recent years witnessed violent attacks despite being considered one of the relatively peaceful states in the South-West.
Residents recalled the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, where at least 40 worshippers were killed, with some estimates putting the death toll at over 80, while many others sustained gunshot and blast injuries. That attack, which occurred during the administration of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, shocked the nation and exposed security vulnerabilities in the state.
Community leaders in Ipele are now calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently deploy more personnel to the area, strengthen intelligence gathering, and reassure residents of their safety. Many locals expressed fear that the destruction of the police station could leave the community exposed to further attacks.
As investigations continue, residents say their priority remains safety, protection, and the swift restoration of security presence in the area.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.
