The Ondo State Police Command has thwarted an alleged plot by suspected criminals to bomb government facilities using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Akure and other parts of the state.
Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters, stating that the suspects had infiltrated the state after identifying targeted locations.
He explained that operatives were swiftly deployed following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of the suspects before the attacks could be carried out.
According to Lawal, six individuals — Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43 — were apprehended during the operation.
The police also recovered several items believed to be linked to the planned attacks, including 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, suspected 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.
Lawal noted that preliminary findings suggest some of the recovered materials were intended for the fabrication of explosive devices, while others may have supported coordinated criminal activities.
He added that early investigations indicate the group was actively assembling IEDs for deployment on government infrastructure, with possible links extending beyond Ondo State to other parts of the country.
