Aiyedatiwa directs security chiefs to arrest perpetrators of Ondo community attacks

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed security chiefs to arrest those responsible for the recent attacks in Ipele community, Owo Local Government Area, saying that such acts should not repeat itself again in the state.

Addressing journalists on Thursday at the Government House, Alagbaka Akure, after meeting with security chiefs, Aiyedatiwa said the swift response of the security agencies helped the situation because nobody knew what their missions or intentions were. But they were able to carry out their mission or activity because maybe they have intention of even going to some Churches.

“Just like we had about three years ago, precisely June 2022, when some bandits or terrorists, if you like, attacked one of the churches, St. Francis Catholic Church, where lives were lost. But this time, no life was lost, and we give our thanks to God,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa said; “just yesterday night while a lot of citizens, some were in the church, praising God for the night, what’s is transiting to the new year. We had the ugly news about an attack by some unknown gunman in one of our communities in our local government, precisely Ipele, that a police station was attacked.

“Immediately I made a call through to the Police and the Brigade Commander and instruction was given that men should be deployed to the area to support the people in the area, especially those on patrol, because we always have our men, the security joint operation task force, on patrol at every point of time across the state.

“And also our forests, our men are there, especially the Amotekun rangers. So we have always been at a lot, but somehow they were able to beat, maybe beat the security or whatever happens. They were able to have access to the police station where an explosive was discharged, but no life was lost.

Read also: Photos: Gunmen set ablaze Ondo Police station on New Year’s Eve

“The swift response of the security agencies helped a situation because nobody knew what their missions or intentions were, but they were able to carry out their mission or activity because maybe they have intention of even going to some churches. Just like we had about three years ago, precisely June 2022, when some bandits or terrorists, if you like, attacked one of the churches, St. Francis Catholic Church, where lives were lost. But this time, no life was lost, and we give our thanks to God.

“It wasn’t what we should start the new year with, but you never can tell about the plans of these people. They look for times when people are relaxed or they’re not expecting something to happen, especially in preparation for New Year celebrations. But on our side, the security agencies, they know that security is 24-7 work.

“So we’re always at a lot, and that was what happened. They were able to move swiftly into the area, the patrol team and some other men that were deployed. So no life was lost, only the police station that was raised through the explosive.

“No policeman lost his life. They were all alive and were able to join the other men in doing the patrol and to ensure that they are able to carry out other criminal activities. So that’s the situation.

“So going forward, people are more at a lot now. Just had a security meeting with the main security chiefs to look at the situation and appraise it and see what we need to do to protect our people and to ensure that such acts never repeat itself.”

BusinessDay reports that the preliminary reports of the police in the state indicated that a group of armed men numbering between 20 and 30 invaded the police station, firing assault rifles and deploying dynamite to attack the facility.

Adebowale Lawal, the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, who also spoke with journalists on behalf of other security chiefs said they would soon come up with strategies to ensure that the attacks does not reoccur again.

Lawal said; “No life was lost and no church was attacked, and we are working to arrest those responsible for the attacks. We are on their toes.

“I want to assure that we are up to the task. We are going to ensure that the perpetrators don’t escape justice. We have a map of strategies, new year after, we are going to meet again. Shortly after we leave here, we are going to meet again to continue with our deliberations and that’s going to be within the hands of the security agencies. At that place, well, the trouble is solved, but then we are up to the task.

“By the time we make an arrest and complete our investigation, we will be able to come up with something, whether they are actually terrorists. But the good people of Ondo should be assured that we don’t have terrorists in Ondo State.

“The good people of Ondo should remain calm and have that confidence, continue to have that confidence they’ve already had in us.

“Mr. Governor has given us notional that the perpetrators should be arrested in no time.”

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date