The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has foiled a planned bomb attack in Akure, the Ondo State capital, leading to the arrest of six suspects linked to the plot.
The Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed on Thursday that the suspects were apprehended on April 15 after security operatives acted on credible intelligence. According to him, the suspects were tracked to a hideout in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, where they were arrested before executing their planned operation.
Lawal explained that a swift and coordinated deployment of officers ensured the successful disruption of the attack. A subsequent search of the location uncovered materials believed to be components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), along with other items.
Items recovered from the suspects include bottles, a bag of sugar, 17 mobile phones, two laptops, N187,000 in cash, charms, and motorcycles.
The arrested individuals were identified as Adekunle Prosper (56), Ojo Olumide (39), Tope Kolawole (40), Ahmed Salihu (40), Bolaji Adebowale (46), and Gbadebo Abidemi (43).
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, suggest the group was in the process of assembling explosive devices intended for deployment at strategic locations. Authorities also recovered a document outlining potential targets, indicating that the attack plan was carefully coordinated and premeditated.
The commissioner urged landlords and property owners to carry out thorough background checks on prospective tenants to help curb criminal activities.
In a separate operation in Ondo town, police operatives arrested 10 suspected cultists, including a wanted kingpin identified as Oluwatosin Temitope.
Lawal revealed that Temitope has been linked to multiple violent incidents, including the shooting of an individual known as “Primo” in March 2026, as well as a previous attack at a bar in 2025.
