KEY POINTS

• Police foiled a planned bomb attack in Akure, arresting six suspects before execution.
• Materials for improvised explosive devices and a list of targets were recovered.
• In a separate raid, 10 suspected cultists, including a wanted kingpin, were also arrested.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has successfully prevented a planned bomb attack in Akure, the Ondo State capital, following a coordinated security operation driven by credible intelligence.

Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, disclosed that the suspects were arrested on April 15 at a hideout in the Oke-Odu area before they could execute the attack. He noted that the timely deployment of officers was crucial in disrupting the plot.

Explosive Materials and Evidence Recovered

A search of the suspects’ hideout led to the recovery of materials believed to be used for assembling improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Recovered items included bottles, a bag of sugar, 17 mobile phones, two laptops, N187,000 in cash, charms, and motorcycles.

Police investigations revealed that the group had begun assembling the devices and had identified strategic targets, suggesting a well-coordinated and premeditated plan.

The arrested suspects were identified as Adekunle Prosper (56), Ojo Olumide (39), Tope Kolawole (40), Ahmed Salihu (40), Bolaji Adebowale (46), and Gbadebo Abidemi (43).

The police commissioner urged landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on tenants to help prevent criminal activities.

In a related development, police operatives in Ondo town arrested 10 suspected cultists, including a wanted kingpin, Oluwatosin Temitope.

Authorities linked Temitope to several violent incidents, including the shooting of an individual known as “Primo” in March 2026 and a previous bar attack in 2025.