THE State Security Services (SSS) has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship, markets and other locations where large numbers of people gather ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was issued during separate meetings between SSS officials and representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities in Osogbo.
“The meeting is true; it was held on Wednesday in Osogbo. We need to be careful and vigilant. These people (terrorists) have been trying to infiltrate Osun for quite some time,” the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Mustapha Olawuyi, said while confirming the meeting to Punch.
According to Olawuyi, the security agency said intelligence indicated that terrorists were planning to infiltrate parts of southern Nigeria, particularly the South-West, with the aim of creating insecurity, causing panic and potentially disrupting or discouraging participation in the 2027 elections.
He said the agency identified churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres among potential targets and urged religious leaders and operators of other public facilities to strengthen security around their premises.
He recalled that the Muslim community had raised concerns over the movement of unfamiliar groups into the state.
“We had, some time ago, sent back some herders, numbering about 200, who flooded Osun from the Ikirun axis. There were also some individuals who came into the state on motorcycles. They didn’t understand our language, and we had to send them back,” he added.
Olawuyi said the SSS had also advised Muslim leaders to prevent suspicious vehicles from parking close to congregations during Jumat prayers and other gatherings.
He said mosque leaders were advised not to allow unknown persons to sleep in mosques, to be cautious about commercial motorcycle operators and unfamiliar herders, and to provide night guards at mosques.
Similarly, the Osun State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), John Adeleke, confirmed that the SSS also met with Christian leaders and urged churches to strengthen their security measures.
A report circulated among Christian leaders and signed by the State Assistant Secretary of Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K., said the SSS informed them that terrorists had allegedly mapped parts of Osun State and could target locations with large gatherings.
The report stated that the suspected attackers were believed to be planning to move through Kaduna and Jos before reaching Osun.
It listed churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres as possible targets.
Adeleke said the SSS advised churches against allowing unknown vehicles to park close to their premises, particularly because such vehicles could potentially be used to conceal explosives.
He also said church leaders were advised to question unfamiliar visitors before granting them access to their premises and to exercise caution over night programmes.
“We sent the message to all our blocs and different platforms, where our people may be informed,” Adeleke said.
He added that the SSS urged religious leaders to educate their members about security awareness and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
“They also said we should be careful of night programmes, so that the people will not take advantage of the darkness to perpetrate their evil plans. The message is that our people should be security conscious. If they see anything, they should say it,” he said.
Adeleke said school owners and operators of other facilities that attract large gatherings were also expected to review their security arrangements.
The warning comes as political activities and preparations for the 2027 general elections are expected to intensify across the country.
However, the specific intelligence cited by the SSS at the meetings, including the identity of the alleged terrorist groups involved, the timing of any planned attacks and the locations allegedly mapped in Osun, was not publicly disclosed by the agency in the accounts provided by the religious leaders.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned Nigerians to remain vigilant against attempts by criminal and terrorist groups to exploit crowded public spaces, while authorities have also urged citizens to report suspicious movements and activities.
The South-West is among parts of Nigeria that have witnessed a surge in terrorist activities in recent months.
The ICIR reported how terrorists invaded Oyo communities in May this year and kidnapped pupils and teachers. They also killed some of the victims. It took the government 56 days to secure the abductees release.
Similarly, the criminals have ravaged parts of Ondo and Ekiti communities to carry out their dastardly acts.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.