Social media exploded with church attack rumors Ondo Police shut it down: Wednesday night’s Ipele hit was a brazen 20-30 gunmen assault on their divisional HQ alone, using assault rifles and dynamite to raze it and exhibits. Insight: Classic “soft target” terror playbook dynamite signals sophisticated non-state actors or bandits escalating from hit-and-runs.
DSP Jimoh Kazeem clarified Thursday: 9:41 p.m. strike, attackers fled before joint police/military/Civil Defence arrival. Zero deaths so far. Deeper dive: Owo area’s banditry hotspot (echoing 2024 kidnappings), raising fears of arms escalation amid Sahel spillover, police stations now prime for weapons/exhibit grabs.
CP slams “reprehensible” act; ramps ops with tactical teams, EOD-CBRN (dynamite residue risks), Mobile Force. Strategic angle: Manhunt leverages intel fusion; public calm key to avoid panic aiding fugitives. “Under control—updates soon,” Kazeem said.
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