ONDO POLICE FOIL PLANNED BOMB ATTACK IN AKURE, ARREST SIX SUSPECTS, RECOVER IED COMPONENTS

The Ondo State Police Command has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the foiling of a planned bomb attack in Akure, leading to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of materials suspected to be components for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The operation, carried out on April 15, 2026, followed credible and actionable intelligence on the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines.

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Acting swiftly, police operatives were strategically deployed to the identified location, where the suspects were apprehended before they could execute the planned attack. A subsequent search of the scene, as well as the suspects’ apartment, led to the recovery of several incriminating items, including 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, criminal 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, among others.

Preliminary investigations indicate that some of the recovered materials were intended for the construction of explosive devices, while others were used to facilitate coordinated criminal operations.

The suspects have been identified as Adekunle Prosper (56), Ojo Olumide (39), Tope Kolawole (40), Ahmed Salihu (40), Bolaji Adebowale (46), and Gbadebo Abidemi (43).

Early findings further reveal that the group was actively involved in assembling IEDs allegedly intended for deployment on government infrastructure, with indications that their activities extended beyond Akure to other parts of the country.

Investigations also uncovered that the suspects had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which served as their operational base. A document mapping out potential target locations was recovered, pointing to a well-coordinated and premeditated plan.

Police authorities noted that the timely intervention of operatives averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.

The Command has strongly condemned the act and urged landlords and property managers to conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants to prevent criminal elements from using residential premises as hideouts.