The Ondo State Police Command has foiled a planned bomb attack in Akure, the state capital, arresting six suspects and recovering suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components and other incriminating exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday at the command headquarters.
Lawal said the operation was achieved through intelligence-led policing and swift response by operatives of the command, noting that the interventions averted what could have resulted in serious loss of lives and destruction of property.
He explained that acting on credible intelligence about a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines, police operatives were deployed to a targeted location where the suspects were intercepted before executing their alleged plan.
According to him, a search of the suspects and a follow-up operation at their apartment led to the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of explosive devices, alongside other items.
Recovered exhibits included 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, charms, 17 mobile phones, ₦187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards, a National Identification Number card, and two motorcycles, among others.
”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,” CP Lawal said.
The police further disclosed that a document mapping out potential target locations was recovered, suggesting a planned and coordinated operation targeting critical infrastructure.
The suspects arrested in connection with the foiled attack were identified as Adekunle Prosper (56), Ojo Olumide (39), Tope Kolawole (40), Ahmed Salihu (40), Bolaji Adebowale (46), and Gbadebo Abidemi (43).
Lawal warned property owners and agents to carry out proper background checks on prospective tenants, stressing that residential buildings must not be allowed to become operational bases for criminal elements.
In a separate operation, the Special Anti-Cultism Squad of the command arrested 10 suspected cultists in Ondo Town during a coordinated raid on identified flashpoints linked to renewed cult-related violence.
According to the command, among those arrested was a suspected cult leader, Oluwatosin Temitope, popularly known as “T-Money,” who has been on the command’s wanted list over alleged involvement in several violent incidents.
The CP commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, describing the operations as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and strengthen security across the state.
He assured residents of the Command’s continued vigilance and commitment to sustaining peace and public safety, while urging members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
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