Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, may have averted a major Akure security threat following a police operation that led to the arrest of six suspects over an alleged Ondo bomb plot targeting key government facilities.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, told journalists on Thursday that the operation was carried out on April 15, 2026. He noted the raid was based on credible intelligence about a suspected criminal network operating across multiple states.
Ondo Bomb Plot: Swift Action in Oke-Odu
Officers acted swiftly on the intelligence, moving to the identified location where the suspects were apprehended before any attack could be carried out. A search of a residence in the Oke-Odu area of Akure reportedly uncovered items believed to be components of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)? along with other materials.
The police recovered a significant cache of items, including:
- 217 bottles and a bag of sugar
- 17 mobile phones and two laptops
- £187,000 (N187,000) in cash
- Motorcycles and suspected charms
The suspects were identified as Adekunle Prosper (56), Ojo Olumide (39), Tope Kolawole (40), Ahmed Salihu (40), Bolaji Adebowale (46), and Gbadebo Abidemi (43).
Investigating the Akure Security Threat: Targets and Tactics
According to the police, preliminary findings suggest the group may have been assembling explosive devices intended for use at strategic locations. Officers also said a document outlining potential targets was recovered, indicating a possible coordinated plan.
“Landlords and property managers must remain vigilant and carry out proper background checks on tenants,” Lawal urged, noting that residential properties are sometimes used for unlawful activities.
Separate Crackdown on Cult Activity
In a separate operation, police in Ondo State also arrested 10 individuals suspected of being involved in cult-related activities during a raid in Ondo Town. Among those detained is a suspected leader, Oluwatosin Temitope, who had previously been declared wanted in connection with reported violent incidents.
High-Profile Arrests
Police said he is being investigated in connection with a shooting involving a victim known as “Primo” in March 2026, as well as another incident at a bar in 2025.
Authorities recovered a firearm, cutlasses, a battle axe, insignia, and charms from the group. The suspects are believed to be linked to confraternities such as Aiye, Eiye, and Alora. Investigation into both the Ondo bomb plot and the cult activity continues.
