BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Department of State Services has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plot by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres as part of efforts to frustrate the 2027 general elections, Frontline Reporters has learnt.

The warning followed intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning to spread insecurity to the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West, with the aim of creating fear and tension ahead of the presidential election.

The DSS reportedly held separate meetings with the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 9, where religious leaders were urged to strengthen security measures and remain vigilant.

Confirming the meeting, the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the security alert was genuine and that religious leaders had been briefed on preventive measures.

Speaking with Frontline Reporters on Friday, Olawuyi said the DSS had outlined several proactive steps to guard against possible attacks.

“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.

Olawuyi recalled that the Muslim community had previously raised concerns over the movement of suspected strangers into the state.

“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,” he added.

Details of the DSS briefing were also contained in an audio message sent by Olawuyi to imams across the state and obtained by Frontline Reporters

In the message, the OSMC president said DSS officers from Abuja had warned of an alleged plot involving terrorists and some politicians to disrupt the 2027 elections.

“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,” he said.

According to him, the security officials disclosed that terrorists were planning to mobilise towards the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West, to cause mayhem, potentially preventing the elections from holding or discouraging voters from participating.

Olawuyi said the DSS specifically advised religious centres to strengthen their security arrangements.

“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,” he said.

Similarly, the Osun State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed that the DSS also met with Christian leaders and urged them to intensify security measures around churches, schools and other public gathering centres.

An extract from a report of the meeting circulated among Christian WhatsApp groups in the state stated that the DSS had warned that terrorists had allegedly mapped out Osun State as part of a wider plan to attack some states ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to the report, the suspected attackers were allegedly planning to move through Kaduna and Jos before heading towards Osun.

It identified churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres among possible targets.

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 of Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.

Speaking with Frontline Reporters, Adeleke said the DSS advised Christian leaders against allowing unknown vehicles to park close to church premises and warned against unnecessary night programmes.

He said church leaders were also urged to educate their members on the need to remain security-conscious and report suspicious movements or activities.

“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,” Adeleke said.

He added that the DSS also advised churches to exercise caution over night programmes, warning that criminals could exploit darkness to carry out attacks.

“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.