The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six persons who planned to use Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to destroy government facilities and infrastructure within the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebowale Lawal has said an intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of the suspected terrorists who had purportedly infiltrated Akure, the state capital.
He noted that the suspects were apprehended before they could execute a potentially devastating assault on public assets.
According to him, the police, acting on credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines, swiftly deployed operatives to the identified location in Akure on Wednesday.
Briefing journalists at a press briefing held on Thursday at the state command headquarters of the police in Akure, Lawal confirmed that the suspects had rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure to serve as their operational base.
The police boss identified the suspects as Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43.
His words: “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 thorough search of the scene and a subsequent operation at the suspects’ apartment resulted in the recovery of a cache of items, including 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, criminal charms, 17 mobile phones, the sum of ₦187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identity Number (NIN) card, two motorcycles, among other items.
“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.
“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 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.”
