The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered and foiled an alleged plot to carry out coordinated bomb attacks on government facilities in Akure, arresting six suspects said to have been preparing for the operation.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation that exposed what the police described as a criminal syndicate operating across state lines and planning to deploy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on key public infrastructure.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this on Thursday during a briefing to journalists at the command headquarters in Akure. He said the suspects had already established a base in the Oke-Odu area of the state capital, from where they allegedly mapped out their targets.
Those arrested were identified as Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43.
Lawal said, “The Command has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the successful foiling of a planned bomb attack in Akure.
“The operation led to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), alongside several other incriminating exhibits, on 15th April, 2026.
“This achievement followed credible and actionable intelligence received by the Command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating along state lines.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives were strategically deployed to the identified location, where the suspects were apprehended before they could execute their planned attack.”
A search conducted at the suspects’ hideout reportedly recovered several items believed to be linked to the planned attacks.
These include 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, charms, 17 mobile phones, ₦187,000 in cash, two HP laptops, eight slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards, a National Identity Number (NIN) card, and two motorcycles.
Lawal noted that preliminary investigations suggest some of the materials were intended for the construction of explosive devices, while others may have supported coordinated criminal operations.
“Preliminary assessments indicate that some of these materials were intended for the construction of explosive devices, while others may have been used to facilitate coordinated criminal activities,” he said.
“Early findings from the investigation reveal that the group actively engaged in assembling IEDs allegedly intended for deployment on government infrastructures, with indications that their operations may extend beyond the state capital to other parts of the country.
“The timely intervention of the police undoubtedly averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.”
The police boss, however, urged vigilance among residents, particularly landlords and property managers, warning that residential buildings are increasingly being exploited as operational bases by criminal elements.
In his words, “The Ondo State Police Command strongly condemns this act and advises house owners and property managers to carry out thorough background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their apartments to prevent such premises from being used as criminal hideouts or operational.”
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