Six held over planned Ondo bomb attack

No fewer than six persons have been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command over an alleged plot to bomb government facilities in Akure.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Thursday, adding that 10 other suspected criminals were apprehended across the state, bringing the total number of arrests to 16.

According to him, while six suspects were arrested over the alleged bomb plot, the remaining 10 were nabbed for their involvement in cult-related activities.

“The command 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, alongside several other incriminating items, on April 15, 2026,” Lawal said.

He explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines.

“Acting on the intelligence, operatives were deployed to the identified location, where the suspects were apprehended before they could execute their plan. A search of the scene and a subsequent operation at their apartment led to the recovery of several items,” he added.

Items recovered included 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, suspected charms, 17 mobile phones, N187,000 in cash, two HP laptops, eight slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards, including a National Identity Number card, and two motorcycles.

The police boss identified some of the suspects as Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43.

Lawal said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in assembling improvised explosive devices intended for attacks on government infrastructure.

He added that findings also indicated the group had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which they used as a base for their operations.

“Further intelligence revealed that a document detailing potential targets was recovered, suggesting a premeditated and coordinated plan. The timely intervention of the police averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and destruction of property,” he said.

PUNCH Metro reports that the arrests come amid growing insecurity in the state, with some communities taking to the streets to protest rising cases of kidnapping and killings in parts of the state.