The Ondo state Police command Thursday announced major security breakthroughs, including the disruption of an alleged bomb attack plot in Akure, Ondo state capital, and the arrest of 10 suspected cultists in Ondo during coordinated operations across the state.
Addressing journalists Thursday, the Commissioner of Police said the command had intensified intelligence-led operations in recent weeks, leading to significant successes in the fight against crime and criminality.
The police said the command also ensured peaceful celebrations during recent festive periods and attributed the achievements to proactive policing strategies, effective intelligence gathering, and the commitment of officers and men on duty.
He stated further that operatives foiled a planned bomb attack in Akure following credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state.
He said cting on the information, security personnel stormed a hideout in the Oke Aro/Oke Aro axis of Akure, where six suspects were arrested before the alleged plot could be executed.
Items recovered during the raid included bottles, bags of sugar, charms, 17 mobile phones, two laptops, an external hard drive, identity cards, motorcycles, drinks, a knife, and cash said to be worth $187,000.
Police said preliminary investigations suggested some of the materials were intended for the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), while others were allegedly used to coordinate criminal activities.
The suspects were identified as: Adekunle Prosper, 36, Ojole Midi, 39, Tokpe Kolaoli, 40, Ames Saliu, 40, Bola Jadibuwale, 46 and Gbadibu Abidinmi, 43.
Investigators also alleged that the female suspect among those arrested played a key role in preparing materials at the hideout.
Further findings indicated that the group had rented an apartment in the Okeudu area of Akure, which was allegedly used as an operational base. Officers reportedly recovered a document containing mapped-out locations believed to be potential targets.
Police said the swift intervention prevented what could have resulted in heavy casualties and destruction of properties in the capital city.
In a separate operation, police operatives stormed criminal hideouts in Ondo and arrested 10 suspected cult members linked to violent crimes in the area.
Among those arrested was a wanted suspect popularly known as “Sea Money,” said to have been on the police watch list over multiple violent incidents.
Recovered items included a firearm, cutlasses, a battle axe, charms, and clothing bearing cult insignia.
The police said preliminary investigations showed the suspects belonged to rival cult groups allegedly involved in violent clashes and other criminal acts within the state.
The command said bush-combing and anti-crime patrols across forests and remote communities were ongoing and not a one-off exercise and the operations involve collaboration with the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local hunters, and forest guards.
On recent roadblocks mounted in parts of the state, authorities said they were intelligence-driven and temporary measures aimed at preventing criminal attacks.