The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday announced the arrest of 16 individuals over alleged criminal activities across the state.
Six of the suspects were linked to a foiled plot to bomb government facilities in Akure, the state capital, while the remaining 10 were apprehended for alleged involvement in cult-related offences.
The Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists, describing the operation as a major breakthrough.
“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 arrests followed credible intelligence on a criminal network operating across state lines. Acting on the information, officers moved in and apprehended the suspects before the alleged attack could be carried out.
“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 subsequent operation at their apartment led to the recovery of several items,” he added.
Recovered items included bottles, sugar, suspected charms, mobile phones, cash, laptops, slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards, and motorcycles.
Some of the suspects were identified as Adekunle Prosper, Ojo Olumide, Tope Kolawole, Ahmed Salihu, Bolaji Adebowale, and Gbadebo Abidemi.
According to Lawal, preliminary findings suggest the group was assembling improvised explosive devices for planned attacks on government infrastructure. He added that the suspects had rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which served as their operational base.
“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.