Police foil bomb attack in Akure, arrest six suspects with IED materials

—-Suspects had apartment- Police CP

— Urges landlords to do background checks

—- Arrest 10 suspected cultists, recover firearm, axe

By Dayo Johnson Akure

Six suspects have been arrested by police detectives in Ondo State over a failed bomb attack in Akure, the state capital.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the state police commissioner, Adebowale Lawal, said the command recorded a “major operational breakthrough with the successful foiling of a planned bomb attack in Akure.”

Lawal said 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 exhibits on 15th April, 2026.

The suspects include Adekunle Prosper, male, 56; Ojo Olumide, male, 39; Tope Kolawole, male, 40; Ahmed Salihu, male, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, male, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, female, 43.

According to the commissioner, “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,” he said.

“A search of the scene and a subsequent operation at the suspects’ apartment led to the recovery of a cache of items, including 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, criminal charms, 17 mobile phones, ₦187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identity Number card, and 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,” Lawal said.

He added that early findings reveal the group actively engaged in assembling IEDs allegedly intended for deployment on government infrastructure, with indications that their operations may extend beyond the state capital to other parts of the country.

“Further intelligence uncovered that the suspects had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which they used as a base. “Notably, a document mapping out potential target locations was also recovered, suggesting a premeditated and coordinated plan,” the commissioner said.

“The timely intervention of the police undoubtedly averted what could have resulted in significant loss of lives and widespread destruction of property.”

Lawal condemned the act and advised house owners and property managers to carry out thorough background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their apartments, to prevent such premises from being used as criminal hideouts or operational bases.

Meanwhile, 10 suspected cultists, including a notorious wanted kingpin, have been apprehended by police detectives.

Lawal said the command, through its Special Anti-Cultism Squad, Akure, recorded another operational success in its sustained efforts to combat cultism and associated violent crimes across the state.

“In the early hours of Wednesday, 15th April 2026, operatives of the Squad, acting on credible and actionable intelligence regarding the resurgence of cult-related activities in Ondo Town, carried out a well-coordinated intelligence-driven operation across identified flashpoints within the town.

” The operation resulted in the arrest of Ten suspected cultists,” he said.

Prominent among those apprehended is Oluwatosin Temitope, popularly known as “T-Money”, a notorious cult figure who has been on the command’s wanted list in connection with a series of violent cult-related incidents within Ondo Town and its environs.

“Early findings link him to the shooting of one ‘Primo’ at Oka Junction in March 2026, as well as a shooting incident at Template Bar, Ondo, on 13th July 2025,” Lawal said.

“A search during the operation led to the recovery of one firearm, two cutlasses, one battle axe, cult-related clothing and insignia, and assorted criminal charms.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects are members of different notorious cult groups, including Aiye, Eiye, and Alora confraternities, which have been linked with various acts of violence, intimidation, and unlawful activities within the state,” he said.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and maintaining peace and public order across Ondo State.

Lawal said the suspects are in police custody and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network, including any collaborators or sponsors. “They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations in accordance with the law,” he said.

He assured residents of Akure and the entire Ondo State of the command’s continued vigilance and readiness to respond decisively to any threat to public safety.

The commissioner also urged members of the public to remain calm but vigilant and to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely, credible, and actionable information.

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