DSS Warns Osun Religious Leaders Over Planned Terror Attacks

DSS alerts Osun religious leaders over alleged plot to attack worship centres and public places ahead of 2027 elections.

The Department of State Services has issued a fresh security warning to religious leaders in Osun State.

The agency says it uncovered an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other crowded public places in the South-West.

According to reports, the alert was shared during separate closed-door meetings with Muslim leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 9.

The Tribune, which first reported the development, said the DSS team came from Abuja to brief stakeholders in the state.

Intelligence made available to the Service indicates that the attackers are looking to shift their activities to the southern region. The aim, according to the report, is to spread fear and disrupt the 2027 general elections.

The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed the meeting. He described the alert as genuine and said preventive steps were discussed.

He explained that the DSS warned of a possible alliance between desperate politicians and terror groups to cause mayhem. The plan would be to create tension and force voter apathy.

According to him, the Service advised mosques to tighten their security. He said they were told to stop vehicles from parking too close to worshippers during Jumat and other gatherings.

Other directives include banning strangers from sleeping inside mosques, being cautious of compromised commercial motorcyclists and herders, and deploying night guards to secure mosque premises.

On the Christian side, the Chairman of CAN in Osun State, Pastor John Adeleke, also confirmed the engagement.

He said the DSS asked church leaders and private school owners to be more security conscious.

A briefing note from the meeting, which is currently circulating on some Christian WhatsApp platforms in the state, gave more details.

The note stated that the DSS Osun Command told CAN that Osun has been mapped as a potential target between now and the presidential election period.

It added that the attackers are suspected to be planning to move through Kaduna and Jos before heading down to Osun.

Their listed targets include churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and public viewing centres.

Religious bodies have now been urged to put strong security measures in place and report any suspicious movement around their worship centres and communities.