Police uncover plot to bomb govt facilities in Ondo, arrest six suspects

An alleged plot to unleash a wave of bomb attacks on government infrastructure and facilities across Ondo State has been uncovered by the state police command, following an intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of six suspected terrorists who had purportedly infiltrated Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, who allegedly mapped out specific government installations as targets for attacks using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), were apprehended before they could execute what the police command in the state described as a potentially devastating assault on public assets.

According to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, acting on credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines, operatives were swiftly deployed to the identified location in Akure on Wednesday.

While 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.

He said, “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 in order to prevent such premises from being used as criminal hideouts or operational.”