Police operatives in Ondo State have thwarted a planned bomb attack in Akure, the state capital, leading to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of materials believed to be used for fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Akure, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat crime.
According to him, the arrests were made on April 15, 2026, following credible intelligence about a criminal syndicate allegedly operating across state lines. Acting swiftly, police deployed operatives to the identified location, apprehending the suspects before they could execute their plan.
Items recovered during the operation included over 200 bottles, a bag of sugar, multiple mobile phones, cash, laptops, motorcycles, and other materials suspected to be linked to the construction of explosive devices. Investigators also found documents outlining potential target locations, suggesting a coordinated and premeditated attack.
Lawal noted that preliminary findings indicate the suspects were actively assembling IEDs, possibly intended for use against government infrastructure, with indications their activities extended beyond Ondo State.
He added that the group had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which they reportedly used as an operational base.
The commissioner stressed that the timely intervention of the police prevented what could have resulted in significant casualties and destruction of property.
He condemned the plot and urged landlords and property managers to conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants to prevent criminals from using residential spaces as hideouts.
In a separate development, the police also arrested 10 suspected cultists during a targeted operation in Ondo Town.
Among those apprehended was a wanted suspect, Oluwatosin Temitope, also known as “T-Money,” who has been linked to multiple violent incidents, including shootings recorded in 2025 and 2026.
Recovered items from the cultism operation included a firearm, cutlasses, a battle axe, and cult-related materials.
The police command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining security across the state, assuring residents that all suspects will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
