DSS Operatives
DSS warns Osun churches, mosques, markets over alleged terrorist attack plot ahead of 2027
The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised a security alert in Osun State over an alleged plan by terrorist elements to attack churches, mosques, markets, schools and other crowded locations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The warning was reportedly issued during separate security briefings held with leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
According to information presented at the meetings, the alleged attackers may attempt to extend their activities from northern Nigeria into the South-West, with Osun State reportedly identified as one of the areas of concern.
The alleged plan is said to be aimed at creating fear and insecurity among residents and potentially discouraging citizens from participating in the 2027 elections.
However, there is currently no public indication from the DSS that an attack is imminent, while the agency has not publicly identified the specific terrorist organisation allegedly behind the reported plan.
The alert has nevertheless prompted religious and community leaders to review security arrangements around places where large numbers of people gather.
The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed that Muslim leaders met with DSS officials in Osogbo and described the information provided during the meeting as serious.
Olawuyi urged Muslims across the state to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
According to him, the DSS warned that terrorist elements could attempt to mobilise towards the South-West to cause mayhem, spread fear and create an atmosphere that could discourage citizens from exercising their civic rights during the 2027 elections.
He also said security agencies had been monitoring the activities and movements of suspicious individuals in the state.
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Olawuyi disclosed that the Muslim community had previously expressed concerns over the arrival of hundreds of unfamiliar persons in some parts of Osun.
He commended the DSS for sharing intelligence with community leaders before any possible attack occurs.
As part of the preventive measures discussed at the meeting, mosque leaders were reportedly advised to pay greater attention to security during Friday prayers and other large religious gatherings.
They were urged to watch out for suspicious vehicles parked around mosques and immediately report unusual activities or persons to security agencies.
Mosque authorities were also reportedly advised against allowing people to sleep within mosque premises and encouraged to provide security guards, particularly at night.
Religious leaders were further urged to exercise caution when dealing with unfamiliar commercial motorcycle operators and other persons whose identities or movements could not be adequately established.
The warning was also extended to the Christian community.
The Osun State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed that DSS officials held a separate security meeting with Christian leaders.
Adeleke said Christian leaders were warned to strengthen security around churches and other public gathering centres.
He said the information was subsequently circulated to various CAN blocs and Christian groups across Osun State.
According to him, churches were advised against allowing unidentified vehicles to park close to worship centres because of the possibility that such vehicles could potentially be used to conceal explosives or other dangerous materials.
Church leaders were also encouraged to properly identify visitors and remain vigilant about unfamiliar people entering their premises.
Adeleke said churches were advised to exercise particular caution during night programmes, when darkness and reduced visibility could create security vulnerabilities.
He urged Christians to remain calm but security-conscious and to report suspicious persons, vehicles or activities to the appropriate authorities.
The warning also covers schools, markets, clubs, viewing centres and other public facilities where large numbers of people regularly gather.
According to Adeleke, school owners and managers of public facilities were advised to review their security arrangements and ensure adequate measures were in place to protect students, staff, worshippers, customers and other members of the public.
A report of the Christian leaders’ meeting, signed by Ajayi J.K., the State Assistant Secretary of Osun CAN, reportedly stated that the DSS informed the Christian leadership that terrorists had allegedly mapped out Osun as part of a wider plan to attack some states before the 2027 presidential election.
The report reportedly indicated that the alleged attackers could move through Kaduna and Jos before heading towards Osun.
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It listed churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres among the locations that could potentially be targeted.
The Christian leaders were subsequently urged to strengthen security around their premises and pay close attention to unusual activities.
The Osun alert comes against the background of broader concerns about possible retaliatory attacks by terrorist and criminal groups following intensified security operations across northern Nigeria.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) had earlier warned Nigerians to remain vigilant, saying terrorist and criminal groups facing setbacks from military operations could resort to isolated attacks designed to create fear, attract public attention or demonstrate that they still possess the capacity to strike.
The national advisory followed reported security operations against terrorist and bandit groups in parts of the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions.
The ONSA said the operations had resulted in the elimination of several terrorist and bandit commanders and the disruption of camps and other criminal strongholds.
Among those reportedly killed was ISWAP commander Abubakar Mainok, also known as Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.
Although the ONSA advisory did not specifically identify Osun as a target, its warning about possible isolated attacks provides wider context for the latest DSS briefing in the state.
Security concerns have also prompted some institutions across Nigeria to strengthen their preventive measures.
Schools and churches in some parts of the country have reportedly introduced measures including improved surveillance, stronger perimeter controls, additional security personnel and emergency procedures in response to the wider security environment.
Osun authorities have also previously expressed concern about the movement and presence of unfamiliar individuals in some communities.
In July, the state government announced a mining community intelligence architecture following concerns over alleged infiltration of some communities by foreign nationals and other unidentified persons.
The government called on community leaders to work with the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps and other security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and community security.
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The state has also recorded cases of kidnapping and other criminal threats, although there is no evidence that those incidents are connected to the alleged terrorist plot contained in the latest DSS warning.
The timing of the alert is significant as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Security concerns around elections in Nigeria have historically included political violence, communal tensions, attacks on campaign activities and threats against voters and election officials.
The latest DSS warning therefore places additional responsibility on security agencies and community leaders to ensure that legitimate political and civic activities can take place without intimidation.
At the same time, the warning presents a delicate challenge for authorities because excessive alarm or the circulation of unverified information could create unnecessary fear among residents.
The available information does not show that the DSS has publicly named a specific terrorist organisation behind the alleged Osun plot, nor has it announced that an attack is certain to occur.
The warning should therefore be understood as a preventive security alert based on reported intelligence, rather than confirmation that an attack is imminent.
Religious and community leaders have consequently been encouraged to remain vigilant without spreading unverified information.
Residents have also been urged to promptly report suspicious persons, abandoned or suspicious vehicles, unusual movements and other security concerns to law enforcement authorities.
For churches and mosques, practical measures such as controlled access, proper identification of visitors, adequate lighting, security personnel and vigilance around parked vehicles could help reduce vulnerabilities.
Schools, markets, entertainment centres and other facilities that attract large crowds are similarly expected to review their emergency response and security procedures.
The broader objective is to ensure that terrorist or criminal groups do not exploit crowded public places to cause mass casualties, spread fear or disrupt peaceful civic activities.
With Nigeria heading towards the 2027 elections, closer cooperation between security agencies, religious institutions, traditional leaders, schools, businesses and residents could be critical to preventing attacks and maintaining public confidence.
For residents of Osun, the immediate message from community leaders is vigilance without panic.
Citizens are expected to continue their normal activities while remaining alert and promptly providing credible information to security agencies that could help prevent any planned attack.
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