DSS Alerts Osun Churches, Mosques Over Alleged Terror Plot Ahead of 2027 Election
The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Christian and Muslim leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres as part of an attempt to create insecurity and frustrate the 2027 general elections.
The warning was reportedly issued during separate meetings between the DSS and representatives of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
According to reports, the security agency informed religious leaders that intelligence had indicated plans by suspected terrorists to extend insecurity to the southern part of Nigeria, particularly the South-West, in the period leading to the 2027 presidential election.
The alleged plot, according to the information presented at the meetings, is aimed at creating fear, tension and public apprehension that could discourage people from participating in the elections or make it difficult for the polls to take place in affected areas.
The development has raised concern among religious and community leaders, with the DSS reportedly urging churches, mosques and other institutions where large numbers of people gather to strengthen their security arrangements and remain vigilant.
Confirming the meeting with the DSS, the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the security alert was genuine and that religious bodies had been advised to take several preventive measures.
Olawuyi said the DSS officers who came from Abuja warned religious leaders about an alleged plot involving terrorists and some politicians to cause instability ahead of the 2027 election.
According to him, the security officials disclosed that suspected terrorists were planning to mobilise towards the southern part of the country, with particular attention on the South-West, in an attempt to cause mayhem, discourage voters and potentially disrupt the electoral process.
He said religious leaders were advised to be particularly careful during congregational activities and to pay attention to people and movements around worship centres.
Among the measures reportedly recommended to Muslim leaders was the need to prevent vehicles from parking too close to congregations during Jumat prayers and other large gatherings.
Religious leaders were also reportedly advised not to allow unknown persons to sleep inside mosques and to pay close attention to the activities of commercial motorcycle operators and herders whose identities or movements may appear suspicious.
The Muslim community was further advised to consider engaging night guards to provide additional security around mosques, particularly during periods when the facilities are less occupied.
Global Mirror News gathered that the DSS warning was not restricted to Muslim worship centres, as Christian leaders in the state were also reportedly briefed about the alleged security threat.
The Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed that the organisation held a meeting with the DSS and said Christian leaders were advised to intensify security consciousness in churches.
Adeleke reportedly asked church leaders to pass the security message to their congregations and ensure that owners and administrators of schools also take appropriate precautions.
An extract from a report of the meeting circulated among some Christian WhatsApp groups in Osun stated that the DSS Osun State Command summoned the CAN leadership to discuss the security situation in the state and the need for increased vigilance.
The circulated report quoted the security officials as saying that, based on intelligence available to them, terrorists had allegedly mapped out parts of Osun State and were planning attacks on some states between now and the period of the next presidential election.
The report further alleged that the suspected attackers planned to move through Kaduna and Jos before heading towards Osun State.
The alleged targets reportedly include places where large numbers of people gather, such as churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres.
The Christian leaders were therefore urged to put stronger security measures in place around churches and other facilities under their supervision.
The latest warning comes amid heightened concerns over the activities of criminal and terrorist groups across different parts of Nigeria and the possibility of attempts to exploit crowded public spaces to cause casualties and panic.
However, the specific details of the alleged terror plot, including the identities of those behind it and the exact locations or dates of any planned attacks, have not been publicly disclosed by the DSS.
Global Mirror News reports that residents, religious organisations, school authorities, market associations and managers of other public gathering centres in Osun State are expected to remain vigilant without creating unnecessary panic.
Security-consciousness, proper identification of visitors, controlled access to premises, attention to suspicious movements and prompt reporting of unusual activities to security agencies remain important precautions for members of the public.
The DSS has yet to issue a detailed public statement outlining the intelligence behind the warning or provide further information on the alleged planned attacks.
For now, religious and community leaders have been urged to take the warning seriously, strengthen existing security arrangements and cooperate with security agencies to prevent any attempt to disrupt peace and public activities in Osun State.
