Police foil bomb attack, arrest 6 suspects in Akure

The operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled a bomb attack, arrested six suspects, and recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) component and other exhibits in Akure, the state capital.

The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this at a press conference in Akure on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Lawal identified the suspects as Adekunle Prosper (male, 56); Ojo Olumide (male, 39); Tope Kolawole (male, 40); Ahmed Salihu (male, 40); Bolaji Adebowale (male, 46); and Gbadebo Abidemi (female, 43).

Lawal said intelligence revealed that the suspects recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu Area of Akure, which they used as a base for their activities.

The police commissioner, who revealed that the arrest was made on April 15, said the achievement followed credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating in Ondo State.

“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,” he said.

Lawal said a thorough search of the scene and subsequent operation at the suspects’ apartment resulted in the recovery of a cache of items including 217 bottles, bags of sugar, and criminal charms.

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Lawal stated: “Other items include 17 mobile phones, the sum of N187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identity Number (NIN) card, and two motorcycles, among others.

“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.

“Findings 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.

“Notably, a document mapping out potential target locations was also recovered, suggesting a premeditated and coordinated plan.

“The timely intervention of the police undoubtedly averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.”

The police commissioner, who condemned the act, advised 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 bases.