The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised the alarm over an alleged terrorist plot targeting Osun State ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning religious leaders that suspected attackers have reportedly “mapped” the state and could target places where large numbers of people gather.
The warning was conveyed during separate meetings between the DSS and Muslim and Christian leaders in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, where the religious bodies were urged to strengthen security around churches, mosques and other public gathering centres.
According to the security briefing, suspected terrorists were allegedly planning to move into the South-West as part of an attempt to create widespread insecurity, cause panic and potentially frustrate or discourage participation in the 2027 presidential election.
Confirming the meeting, President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the security alert was genuine and that the DSS had provided religious leaders with measures to guard against possible attacks.
Olawuyi, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on Friday, said, “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.”
Further details of the DSS briefing were contained in an audio message circulated by Olawuyi to imams across the state and obtained by Sunday PUNCH.
In the message, the OSMC president said, “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 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.”
The security warning was also delivered to Christian leaders, with the Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirming that its leadership had met with the DSS over the threat.
Osun CAN Chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, said the security agency instructed Christian leaders to ensure that churches and other facilities under their influence remained vigilant.
An extract from a report of the meeting circulated among Christian WhatsApp groups in the state stated: “The DSS Osun State Command called for a meeting with the OSCAN Chairman, Rev. Dr John Adeleke, on the alertness of security in Osun State.
“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 of Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.
Adeleke told Sunday PUNCH that the DSS specifically warned against allowing unidentified vehicles to park close to church premises and advised religious organisations to reconsider night programmes in view of the security concerns.
He added that church leaders were instructed to educate their members on the importance of vigilance and promptly reporting suspicious activities.
The CAN chairman said, “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.
The alert has heightened security concerns around churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs, viewing centres and other locations that routinely attract large crowds across Osun State as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
