Ipele-Owo attack: cleric allays Nigerians fear as worshippers desert churches on January 1

A cleric, Ven. Dr. Olatunde Abiodun, has urged Nigerians to remain calm and not be intimidated by recent attacks nor purported fearful actions around, including the Ipele-Owo incident, where gunmen attacked a police station on New Year's Eve causing the popular crossover night to be abruptly brought to an end in many churches within and around Owo, resulting in a great panic, fear and unimaginable tension in the ancient town and its environs. The attack, which occurred around 9:41 pm., resulted in the destruction of the police station, but fortunately, no lives were lost.

Speaking at St. Patrick's Anglican Church Ijebu Owo on New Year's Day, even though the church pews were scanty with worshippers, Ven. Abiodun reassured the congregation and Nigerians at large that the situation is under control and that "unto. whom shall we go in 2026?" The Man of God decried his experience overnight when many worshippers had to flee the church virtually leaving the priests alone and few others as a result of the news that spread like wildfire, of the attack at Ipele police station very close to another popular Anglican church in that town. "The fear of the unknown kills faster! Don't allow anyone to create fear in you in 2026 and beyond. Imagine, on new year's Eve, people running out of the church that oughts to be a place of safety and running outside to places no one even got clearer information about the bandits' movement", Abiodun exclaimed!

Phones rang in different directions, calls were incessantly received by owo indigenes and its environs as a short video on the attacked police station went viral putting more tensions across all churches and even relaxation centres across the city and even beyond causing curiousity and nervousness  as church members fled for safety without waiting to cheer one another happy new year in the crossover night. AGES correspondent who interviewed an anonymous member of the church revealed that the person claimed he couldn't verify the authenticity of the viral video but had to leave the church with his family to prevent any coordinated attacks of the gunmen. 

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government and security agencies have assured the public that they are taking necessary measures to prevent further attacks. The Ipele-Owo attack is part of a series of incidents in the region, including a deadly church attack in Owo in June 2022 that left over 40 people dead. The government and security agencies are working to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the safety of citizens.

Despite the ugly incident that eventually kept many from putting up appearance at the morning service for the new year's day, some committed members in various denominations were still found in churches around while some church visited by AGES had security personnels on standby in the church premises. Among worshippers who cheered the joy of the new year in St. Patrick's church were Ch. & Mrs. Lawrence Omosanya, former Federal Character Commissioner, Ch.& Mrs. Abiodun Asiwaju, Hon. Ch. Solomon Adenegan and his entire household, High Chief Aruwajin Aladenusi, Mrs. Vero Ayodele, Mr. Ojo Olotu, Dr. Mrs. Abiodun and others.