An alleged plot to unleash a wave of bomb attacks on government infrastructure and facilities across Ondo State has been uncovered by the state police command, following an operation that led to the arrest of six suspected terrorists who had purportedly infiltrated Akure, the state capital.

Relatedly, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has raised the alarm over credible intelligence indicating planned coordinated attacks by terrorist groups on key locations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and parts of Niger State, respectively.

However, stakeholders, including former Nigerian Ambassador, Dr Yemi Farounbi; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Niyi Akintola and Segun Showunmi, on Wednesday, called for urgent restructuring of Nigeria’s governance architecture as a strategic response to worsening insecurity and growing strains on the country’s democratic system.

The six suspects, who allegedly mapped out specific government installations as targets for attacks using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), were apprehended before they could execute what the police command in the state described as a potentially devastating assault on public assets.

According to the Commissioner of Police (CP), Adebowale Lawal, acting on credible and actionable intelligence received by the command regarding the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate operating across state lines, operatives were swiftly deployed to the identified location in Akure.

While briefing journalists yesterday at the police headquarters in Akure, Lawal confirmed that the suspects had rented an apartment in the Oke-Odu area of Akure to serve as their operational base.

He identified the suspects as Adekunle Prosper, 56; Ojo Olumide, 39; Tope Kolawole, 40; Ahmed Salihu, 40; Bolaji Adebowale, 46; and Gbadebo Abidemi, 43.

“The command has 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 IEDs, alongside many other incriminating exhibits, on 15th April 2026.

“A thorough search of the scene and a subsequent operation at the suspects’ apartment resulted in the recovery of a cache of items, including 217 bottles, a bag of sugar, criminal charms, 17 mobile phones, N187,000 cash, two HP laptops, eight slings, one knife, an external hard drive, two identity cards, one National Identification Number (NIN) card, two motorcycles, among other items,” the CP stated.

According to him, preliminary assessments indicate that some of the materials were intended for the construction of explosive devices, while others may have been used to facilitate coordinated criminal activities.

IN an internal memo issued by the office of the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, T. Bomodi, for the Controller General of Customs, the Service disclosed that the threats involve Boko Haram (BH) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

According to the document, “The CGC is in receipt of a credible report indicating plans by Boko Haram (BH) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to execute a series of coordinated attacks on strategic locations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State.

“The report identified key potential targets to include the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), the Kuje Custodial Centre, and the Wawa Military Detention Facility in Kainji, Niger State.”

The Service warned that the objective of the planned attacks goes beyond disruption, pointing to attempts to free detained fighters and damage critical infrastructure, particularly within the aviation sector.

THE stakeholders made the call at a symposium organised by the National Association of Public Affairs Analysts (NAPAA) at the Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme ‘Nigeria’s Current Challenges and the Way Out’.

The event brought together scholars, legal practitioners, political actors and public affairs analysts, who examined the intersection of insecurity, governance failures and Nigeria’s democratic trajectory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They argued that decentralising power and strengthening sub-national governance structures would enable more effective resource management, improved security coordination and better policy implementation.

Chairman of the occasion, Farounbi, described security as the most critical issue confronting Nigeria, insisting that it must be urgently addressed through fundamental restructuring of the state.

Describing Nigeria as “a nation of paradox”, he said the country’s abundant human and natural resources had not translated into meaningful development due to structural deficiencies, weak institutions and poor implementation of policies.

He argued that Nigeria’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of knowledge or ideas, but in a persistent absence of discipline, accountability and effective institutional structures.

In his contribution, Convener of The Alternative Movement, Showunmi, examined Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, noting that while the Fourth Republic recorded uninterrupted electoral cycles since 1999, its democratic depth “remains fragile”.

Presenting a paper, ‘Nigeria’s Fourth Republic at a Crossroads: Challenges and Prospects Ahead of the 2027 General Election’, Showunmi argued that Nigeria’s democracy is trapped between electoral continuity and genuine democratic consolidation.

He called for urgent reforms in electoral administration, stronger political party structures and greater responsiveness from political elites to citizens’ needs.

Niyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), underscored the centrality of insecurity to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, describing it as a major impediment to national development.

He noted that insecurity not only threatens lives and property but also undermines investment, disrupts agricultural production, weakens education systems and drains public resources.

In his remarks, NAPAA Secretary, Jaye Ajayi, highlighted the importance of civic engagement and informed discourse in addressing societal challenges. He described his platform, NAPAA, as an initiative aimed at sharing ideas and enlightening both citizens and authorities on prevailing political and social issues.

Also speaking, the Chairman of NAPAA, Seun Adelore, underscored the potential benefits of restructuring, particularly in strengthening Nigeria’s economy, healthcare system, and security architecture. He argued that decentralising power would enable regions to harness their resources more effectively and drive sustainable development.