The Ondo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough with the foiling of a planned bomb attack in Akure, the state capital, leading to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Akure on Wednesday.
Lawal said the operation followed credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating along state lines.
“This achievement followed credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating along state lines,” Lawal said.
“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.”
The suspects include Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43, the only female among them.
A search of the scene and a subsequent operation at the suspects’ apartment led to the recovery of 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, criminal charms, 17 mobile phones, ₦187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identity Number card, and two motorcycles.
“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,” Lawal said.
The commissioner added that early findings reveal the group actively engaged in assembling IEDs allegedly intended for deployment on government infrastructure, with indications that their operations may extend beyond the state capital to other parts of the country.
He noted that 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,” Lawal said.
He advised house owners and property managers to carry out thorough background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their apartments.
In a separate operation, police also arrested 10 suspected cultists, including a notorious wanted kingpin, Oluwatosin Temitope, popularly known as “T-Money.” Items recovered included one firearm, two cutlasses, one battle axe, cult-related clothing, and assorted criminal charms.
