The Department of State Services has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other crowded locations in an attempt to create insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was issued during separate meetings between DSS officials and leaders of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday.
The security agency reportedly told the religious leaders that intelligence indicated plans to extend terrorist activities to the South-West, with Osun identified as a potential target.
The alleged targets include churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs, viewing centers, and other locations where large numbers of people gather.
The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed the DSS meeting and urged Muslims across the state to remain vigilant.
“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,” he said.
“We had, some time ago, sent back some herders, numbering about 200, who flooded Osun from the Ikirun axis. There were also individuals who entered 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 subsequently circulated an audio message to imams across the state detailing some of the security measures recommended by the DSS.
According to him, “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 mobilize 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 centers should be watchful. They told us not to allow anyone with a car to park close to the people or the congregation during Jumat prayer or gatherings. They also told us not to allow 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 Chairman of the Osun State chapter of CAN, Pastor John Adeleke, also confirmed the meeting with the DSS.
He said Christian leaders were advised to strengthen security at churches and to pass the warning to schools and other facilities where large numbers of people gather.
A report of the meeting circulated among Christian groups in the state stated that the DSS had intelligence that terrorists had mapped Osun as part of a wider plan to attack some states before the 2027 presidential election.
It identified Kaduna and Jos as part of the alleged route towards Osun.
“Their targets are places of gathering, such as churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs or viewing centers, etc., and we are asked to put tight security in place in our churches.”
The report was titled ‘The Report of the Meeting Held with the Department of State Security Osun State Command Today, Wednesday, 9th September, 2026’ and signed by the State Assistant Secretary of Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.
Adeleke said the DSS advised churches against allowing unfamiliar vehicles to park near their premises and urged them to exercise caution over night programs.
“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,” he said.
“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 to be careful and that any visitor who comes around should be questioned before we allow them onto the church premises.
“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.
Reacting to the warning, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke urged residents to report suspicious persons, movements, and activities to security agencies without delay.
A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the governor would convene an emergency State Security Council meeting with the heads of security agencies to assess the alleged threat and strengthen the state’s response.
Adeleke also directed the state Council of Traditional Rulers to convene a meeting to review security arrangements at the grassroots.
“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports on noticeable threats in our communities. As we are aware of alleged plots to attack our places of worship, we must become extra vigilant. Report anything unusual without any delay.
“I will soon convey the State Security Council meeting to assess the situation and the workability of our response plans. As residents of this state, we must collaborate with the security agencies through information sharing.
“We should be wary of people we host in our communities. On this note, I charge our royal fathers to also host their traditional council meetings on this development. We must nip in the bud the evil plans of enemies of public peace.
“Our administration is committed to post-election peace building and we must tighten state security to foil any attempt by terrorists and bandits to disrupt public peace.”
The Governor also commended the DSS for what he described as its proactive response and urged other security agencies to review the intelligence and develop measures to protect residents.
The latest warning comes less than a month after Osun’s governorship election, which was held on 15 August amid concerns over political violence in parts of the state.
Following his re-election, Adeleke called for post-election peace and urged political actors and community leaders to work towards restoring unity in the state.
Before the election, the Governor had also raised concerns about political violence and called on security agencies to prevent attacks and protect residents.
The DSS has not identified the specific terrorist group allegedly planning the attacks.
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