Tension has heightened in Osun State following an alert by the Department of State Services (DSS) over an alleged plan by terrorists to target places of worship, schools, and other public gathering centres in the state.
According to a report, which reported the development on Sunday, September 13, the DSS held separate meetings with representatives of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 9.
The newspaper reported that the security agency warned religious leaders of intelligence indicating that suspected terrorists were planning to move their activities into the South-West, with Osun identified as one of the possible targets.
The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed the DSS meeting in an interview, saying religious leaders were advised to remain vigilant and take preventive security measures.
Olawuyi reportedly said the DSS told Muslim leaders that suspected terrorists could mobilise towards the South-West with the intention of creating insecurity, causing panic, and potentially disrupting the 2027 elections.
According to an audio message reportedly circulated by Olawuyi to imams across the state, the DSS advised mosques to strengthen security around prayer gatherings, prevent vehicles from parking close to congregations, and avoid allowing unknown persons to sleep within mosque premises.
The DSS also reportedly warned Muslim leaders to be cautious of unfamiliar commercial motorcyclists and other persons whose activities could pose security risks.
The Christian community in Osun also received a similar warning.
Osun CAN Chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the DSS met with Christian leaders and asked them to pass security information to churches and school owners across the state.
Adeleke said the Christian leaders were advised to be security-conscious, particularly concerning unfamiliar visitors and vehicles around church premises.
A written report of the Christian leaders’ meeting, reportedly signed by Osun CAN State Assistant Secretary, Ajayi J.K., further stated that the DSS had warned that suspected attackers had allegedly mapped parts of Osun State.
According to the report, the alleged targets included churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs, and viewing centres, described as places where large numbers of people gather.
The report also alleged that the suspected attackers could move through Kaduna and Jos before heading towards Osun and other parts of the South-West.
Separately, reports citing a purported DSS memo have alleged that suspected terrorist groups were mobilising resources across the North-Central, North-West, South-West, and North-East regions, with attacks allegedly being planned around the 2027 election period.
The alleged intelligence has also been linked to suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who were said to have carried out surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets with the assistance of local collaborators.
However, the specific claims contained in the purported memo, including the alleged ISWAP involvement and planned movement of fighters, have not been publicly independently confirmed by the DSS in the reports reviewed.
The warnings have nevertheless prompted religious leaders in Osun to urge increased vigilance, while schools, worship centres, and other public gathering locations have been advised to strengthen their security arrangements.
The DSS has not publicly disclosed the full details of its intelligence assessment or confirmed that an attack is imminent.
Security agencies are expected to continue monitoring the situation and take preventive measures to protect residents and vulnerable locations across the state.
