Gunmen Ambush Police Patrol in Violent Ondo Checkpoint Raid

The quiet of Ipele Junction in Owo Local Government Area was shattered by gunfire on Saturday when a gang of armed men launched a brazen assault on a police security post. In a scene that has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of first responders in Ondo State, the attackers targeted operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol who were conducting their routine traffic and security duties. The ambush left two police officers and a female bystander nursing serious gunshot wounds, marking another violent chapter in the security challenges facing the region.

According to detailed accounts from police sources, the assailants did not arrive in a convoy or a heavy vehicle, which might have raised immediate alarms. Instead, they utilized a tactic frequently seen in urban guerrilla-style attacks, arriving as a trio on a single motorcycle. This allowed them to blend in with the regular flow of traffic until they were within point-blank range of the officers. Without warning or provocation, they unleashed a volley of bullets on the unsuspecting team, aiming to overwhelm the checkpoint through the sheer element of surprise.

The casualties of the sudden barrage included two of the uniformed men on duty who bore the brunt of the initial fire. However, the violence was not contained to the security personnel. A civilian woman, identified by authorities as Taiwo, was caught in the crossfire as stray bullets ripped through the area. The inclusion of a civilian victim has heightened the public outcry, highlighting the extreme risks posed to ordinary citizens during such violent confrontations on public highways.

Despite the chaos and the disadvantage of being ambushed, the Safer Highway Patrol team demonstrated remarkable resilience and tactical discipline. Reports from the scene indicate that the officers did not flee but instead engaged the gunmen in a high-stakes shootout. This swift and aggressive response proved decisive, as the sheer volume of retaliatory fire from the police forced the attackers to abandon their offensive and scramble for safety.

In the aftermath of the gun battle, the police were able to secure a significant breakthrough. While two of the gunmen managed to slip away into the surrounding terrain, one suspect, identified as Nwabali, was intercepted and apprehended at the scene. His capture provides a rare and vital opportunity for the state’s intelligence services to peer into the inner workings of the gang. Additionally, the motorcycle used in the operation was recovered, serving as a key piece of forensic evidence for the ongoing investigation.

DSP Jimoh Kazeem, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Ondo State Command, confirmed the details of the skirmish in an official statement. He characterized the attack as a direct assault on the state’s legal authority, noting that the officers were targeted specifically because they were performing their “lawful responsibilities” to keep the highway safe for travelers. Kazeem reassured the public that the injured victims—both the officers and the civilian—were rushed to a nearby hospital where they are currently receiving intensive medical treatment.

The arrested suspect, Nwabali, is currently being interrogated at a secure facility. Early reports suggest that he is providing “useful information” that could lead to the identification and location of his fleeing accomplices. The police command has expressed confidence that the trail is warm and that it is only a matter of time before the remaining members of the gang are brought to justice. Kazeem emphasized that once the investigation is fully concluded, the suspect will face the full weight of the law in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Commissioner of Police for Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, has since visited the command to review the situation and boost the morale of the men on the front lines. He did not mince words in his condemnation of the incident, labeling the attack as both “tragic and condemnable.” Lawal took a moment to specifically praise the bravery of the officers involved, noting that their refusal to back down prevented what could have easily become a fatal disaster for both the police and the civilians in the vicinity.

The Ipele Junction attack serves as a stark reminder of the volatility inherent in highway policing in Nigeria. For the residents of Owo and those who frequent the Ondo highways, the incident has reinforced the need for heightened vigilance. While the capture of one suspect is a victory for the police, the hunt for his partners continues, with security forces vowing to leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators of this cold-blooded ambush are completely neutralized.