DSS: Terrorists planning to attack churches, mosques, markets in Osun

The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres as part of efforts to frustrate the 2027 general elections.

The warning was conveyed during separate meetings between the DSS and representatives of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday.

According to reports, the security agency advised religious leaders to take preventive measures and remain vigilant following intelligence that terrorists were planning to spread insecurity to the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West.

The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed the meeting, saying religious bodies had been briefed on the security threat and advised on preventive measures.

“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.”

In an audio message sent to imams across the state, Olawuyi said the DSS warned that terrorists could mobilise to the South-West to cause mayhem, disrupt the 2027 election or discourage voter participation.

“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 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.”

Similarly, the Osun CAN Chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed that the DSS had met with Christian leaders and advised churches, schools and other places where large numbers of people gather to strengthen security measures.

An extract from a report of the meeting circulated among some Christian WhatsApp groups in the state said the DSS had intelligence that terrorists had mapped Osun State and could attack some states ahead of the presidential election.

“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 advised Christian leaders not to allow unknown vehicles to park close to church premises and urged churches to exercise caution over night programmes.

He added that church leaders were also advised to question unfamiliar visitors before allowing them into their premises and to educate members on the need to remain vigilant.

“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.