The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday said it had arrested 16 persons for alleged criminal activities across the state.
The command disclosed that six of the suspects were allegedly involved in a plot to bomb government facilities in Akure, the state capital.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adebowale Lawal, made this known while briefing journalists on recent arrests made by the command.
According to him, while six suspects were arrested over the alleged bomb plot, the remaining 10 were apprehended for their involvement in cult-related activities.
“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 arrest followed credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines.
“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.
Items recovered included 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, suspected charms, 17 mobile phones, N187,000 in cash, two HP laptops, eight slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards including a National Identity Number card, and two motorcycles.
The police boss identified some of the suspects as Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43.
Lawal said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in assembling improvised explosive devices intended for attacks on government infrastructure.
He added that findings also indicated the group had recently rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure, which they used as a base for their operations.
“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.
