Olushola Omogbehin
The Ondo State Police Command has prevented a bomb attack in Akure, the state capital, arresting six suspects and recovering suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components.
This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, during a press briefing at the command headquarters on Thursday.
Lawal said the operation was achieved through intelligence-led policing and prompt response by operatives of the command.
He said that the interventions prevented what could have led to loss of lives and property destruction.
Explaining further, he said that with intelligence report about suspected criminal syndicate operating across the state, police operatives were deployed to suspected location where the suspects were intercepted before executing their alleged plan.
Leadership’s report that follow-up operation at their location led to the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of explosive devices and other items.
Some of the exhibits recovered included 217 bottles, charms, 17 mobile phones, ₦187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards, a bag of sugar, a National Identification Number card, and two motorcycles, and others.
”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,” CP Lawal said.
The police further disclosed that a document mapping out potential target locations was recovered, suggesting a planned and coordinated operation targeting critical infrastructure.
According to him, a search of the suspects and a follow-up operation at their apartment led to the recovery of materials suspected to be components for the fabrication of explosive devices, alongside other items.
Recovered exhibits included 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, charms, 17 mobile phones, ₦187,000, two HP laptops, eight slings, a knife, an external hard drive, identity cards, a National Identification Number card, and two motorcycles, among others.
”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,” CP Lawal said.
Some of the suspects are Adekunle Prosper (56), Gbadebo Abidemi (43), Ojo Olumide (39), Ahmed Salihu (40), Bolaji Adebowale (46) and Tope Kolawole (40).
Warning that residential buildings should not be allowed to become operational bases for criminal elements, the commissioner urged property owners and agents to carry out proper background checks on prospective tenants.
