Planned bomb attacks foiled in Akure, six suspects apprehended with IEDs: Police

Ondo State police arrested six suspects and recovered IED components after foiling a coordinated plot to bomb government infrastructure in Akure.

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command successfully foiled a planned bomb attack in Akure on Thursday, arresting six members of a suspected criminal syndicate. The suspects, identified as five men and one woman ranging in age from 39 to 56, were apprehended following credible intelligence regarding their activities. Police Commissioner Lawal Adebowale revealed that the group had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of the state capital, using it as a base to assemble improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

During the raid, police recovered a variety of incriminating materials, including 217 bottles and a bag of sugar believed to be components for bomb fabrication as well as criminal charms, 17 mobile phones, and laptops. Other seized items included slings, a knife, motorcycles, and ₦187,000 in cash. Preliminary investigations suggest the group intended to target government infrastructure, with their operations potentially extending across state lines to other parts of Nigeria.

Commissioner Adebowale described the arrests as a major operational breakthrough, noting that the suspects were intercepted just as they were preparing to execute their plot. While the police continue their investigation to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s network, the command has reiterated its commitment to proactive security measures. The suspects remain in custody pending further legal proceedings and profiling to determine their specific affiliations and motives.

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