The Department of State Services has raised the alarm over an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres in Osun State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was conveyed to Muslim and Christian leaders during separate meetings held by the DSS in Osogbo on Wednesday, with the religious bodies urged to strengthen security measures around their facilities.
The development followed intelligence reportedly indicating plans by terrorists to extend insecurity to parts of southern Nigeria, particularly the South-West, in an attempt to create tension and disrupt the 2027 presidential election.
The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed that the meeting with the DSS took place, saying the religious leaders were briefed on measures to prevent possible attacks.
Olawuyi said the DSS provided guidance on proactive security measures.
He said, “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.
“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. The DSS is doing a very good job in terms of intelligence and alerting the people.”
Olawuyi also circulated an audio message to imams across the state, outlining the concerns raised during the security briefing.
In the message, he said, “The DSS came from Abuja to Osun to warn us about a plot by some politicians and terrorists to frustrate the 2027 election, and for every one of us to be careful.
“The officers said they had intelligence that the terrorists would mobilise to the southern part of the country and the South-West, especially to cause mayhem so that the election may not hold or cause apathy.
“They advised that all religious centres should be watchful. They told us not to allow anybody with a car to park close to the people or congregation during Jumat prayer or gathering. They warned us against allowing anybody to sleep in the mosque. They also told us to be careful of compromised commercial motorcycles and herders. They told us to have night guards at every mosque.”
The Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria also confirmed receiving a similar security briefing.
The state CAN Chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, said the DSS advised Christian leaders to alert churches, schools and other facilities that regularly host large gatherings to the potential security threat.
An extract from a report circulated among Christian groups in the state stated that the DSS had warned that suspected attackers had identified Osun as one of their potential targets.
It read, “The DSS Osun State Command called for a meeting with the OSCAN Chairman, Rev. Dr John Adeleke, on the alertness of security in Osun State.
“They made it known, based on their intelligence and security expertise, that the attackers or the terrorists have mapped Osun State, and that between now and the period of the coming presidential election, they will attack some states. They planned to go through Kaduna, Jos and come down to Osun State.
“Their targets are places of gathering, such as churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs or viewing centres, etc., and we are asked to put tight security in place in our churches.”
The report, titled, ‘The Report of the Meeting Held with the Department of State Security Osun State Command Today, Wednesday, 9th September, 2026’, was signed by the State Assistant Secretary, Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.
Adeleke said the DSS specifically urged churches to prevent unknown vehicles from parking close to their premises and advised religious organisations to exercise caution over night programmes.
He added that CAN members had been directed to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
“After sharing with us that the churches will need to be careful and that we should encourage our churches also to be on alert, we sent the message to all our blocs and different platforms, where our people may be informed.
“For example, they told us we should not allow a strange vehicle to park near churches because there may be explosives inside the car. They also told our leaders throughout the state that they should be careful, and any visitor that comes around should be questioned before we allow him or her into the premises of the church.
“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. They also told us to inform school owners to be security-conscious. The government is aware too. God is our divine protector, but in areas where we need to be careful, we want to be,” Adeleke added.
(PUNCH)
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