morGANABLE News/security& justice
Security analysts say the development reflects growing concerns about the potential spread of insurgency-related activities beyond traditional hotspots in northern Nigeria.
KaNo—
The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised concerns over an alleged plan by terrorists to launch attacks on places of worship and other public gathering centres in Osun State, warning that such acts may be part of a broader strategy to disrupt the 2027 general elections.
The alert was disclosed during separate meetings held with Muslim and Christian leaders in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the security agency shared intelligence suggesting that terrorist elements were seeking to extend their operations to the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West region, in a bid to create fear, instability and electoral apathy ahead of the presidential polls.
Confirming the development, the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the meetings with the DSS were real and underscored the need for heightened vigilance among residents and religious bodies across the state.
Speaking with Punch News on Friday, Olawuyi said the DSS had provided detailed security briefings and outlined precautionary measures to prevent potential attacks.
“The meeting is true; it was held on Wednesday in Osogbo. We need to be careful and vigilant,” Olawuyi said.
“These people have been trying to infiltrate Osun for quite some time. Some time ago, we had to send back about 200 herders who came into the state through the Ikirun axis. There were also individuals who arrived on motorcycles who could not understand our language, and they were also turned back.”he added
Muslim Community Commends DSS
He commended the DSS for its proactive intelligence efforts, noting that early warnings such as this could help prevent tragic incidents if properly acted upon.
Details of the DSS briefing were further circulated among Muslim leaders in the state through an audio message sent by Olawuyi to imams.
In the message, he stressed that the security agency had warned of a coordinated plot involving both terrorist groups and political actors aimed at frustrating the electoral process.
These include restricting vehicle access near worship centres, prohibiting unknown individuals from staying overnight in mosques, and employing night guards to monitor activities.
“They told us not to allow vehicles to park close to worshippers during gatherings and warned against accommodating strangers within mosque premises,” Olawuyi said in the message.
“They also advised us to be wary of compromised commercial motorcycle operators and unfamiliar herders.”
CAN Received Briefing By The DSS
Similarly, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osun State, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed that Christian leaders were also briefed by the DSS on the potential threats and necessary preventive measures.
Adeleke said the DSS urged church leaders to increase security awareness within their congregations and take practical steps to safeguard worshippers, especially during services and special programmes.
“The DSS made it clear that, based on their intelligence, Osun State has been mapped out by these attackers,” Adeleke said.
“They indicated that the plan could involve movement from northern regions such as Kaduna and Jos down to the South-West, including Osun.”
According to him, churches were specifically advised to be cautious about vehicles parked near their premises, as such could pose security risks.
The DSS also recommended that church leaders scrutinise visitors before granting them access to church grounds and reconsider the scheduling of night programmes, which may expose congregations to greater danger.
“They told us not to allow strange vehicles near churches because they could contain explosives,” Adeleke said.
An internal report of the meeting, which was circulated among Christian groups in the state, highlighted that terrorists might target not only religious centres but also other public spaces such as markets, schools, viewing centres and social clubs.
The document, titled “The Report of the Meeting Held with the Department of State Security Osun State Command,” emphasised the need for heightened alertness across all sectors that attract large gatherings.
Adeleke added that CAN had already begun disseminating the DSS warnings across its various blocs and communication platforms to ensure that churches and affiliated institutions are adequately informed.
“We have passed the message across to all our churches and encouraged them to take it seriously,” he said.
“Beyond churches, we have also been asked to inform school owners and administrators of public gathering centres to step up their security measures.” he added.
Concerns Mount Over Spread Of Terrorists Activities
Security analysts say the development reflects growing concerns about the potential spread of insurgency-related activities beyond traditional hotspots in northern Nigeria.
While the South-West has largely been spared large-scale terrorist attacks, recent intelligence reports have pointed to attempts by armed groups to expand their reach.
Attack Aims To Instill Fear In Residents Ahead Of Elections
The alleged plot to target Osun and other South-West states is believed to be linked to efforts to undermine public confidence in the electoral process and discourage voter participation in the 2027 general elections.
Observers note that places of worship and crowded public venues are often considered soft targets due to their accessibility and the large number of people they attract, making them vulnerable in the absence of adequate security measures.
Residents of Osun State have been urged to remain calm but vigilant, report suspicious activities to security agencies, and cooperate with local authorities in maintaining peace and order.
Both Muslim and Christian leaders reiterated the importance of community awareness and collective responsibility in preventing security breaches, stressing that timely information sharing could save lives.
“God is our protector, but we must also play our part by being watchful,” Adeleke said. “If anyone sees something unusual, they should not hesitate to report it.”
As the 2027 elections approach, security agencies are expected to intensify intelligence gathering and collaboration with community stakeholders to forestall any threats to public safety and democratic processes.
