The Department of State Services has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack worship centres and other locations where large numbers of people gather, as part of an alleged plot to disrupt the 2027 general elections, according to Sunday PUNCH.
The warning was reportedly issued during separate meetings the DSS held with members of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday. The religious leaders were urged to strengthen security measures and remain vigilant against possible attacks.
The meetings followed an intelligence report indicating that terrorists were planning to extend insecurity to the southern region of the country, particularly the South-West, in an attempt to create tension ahead of the presidential election.
The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed that the meeting with the DSS took place, saying the security alert was genuine and that religious leaders had been given precautionary measures to adopt.
Olawuyi, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on Friday, said the security agency had provided the Muslim community with several measures aimed at preventing possible attacks.
He 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 meeting between the DSS and Muslim leaders were contained in an audio message circulated by Olawuyi to imams across Osun State. Sunday PUNCH obtained a copy of the message.
In the recording, 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 Osun State Chairman of CAN, Pastor John Adeleke, also confirmed that the Christian leaders met with the DSS. He said the agency urged them to pass the security warning to churches and school proprietors and ensure that adequate security measures were put in place.
An extract from a report of the meeting, which was circulated in some 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, Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Adeleke said the DSS specifically advised Christian leaders against allowing unfamiliar vehicles to park around church premises and urged them to reconsider holding night programmes.
He said church leaders were also directed to sensitise members about the importance of remaining alert and promptly reporting suspicious activities.
The CAN chairman added that religious leaders were advised to properly screen visitors before granting them access to church premises. He said the DSS further instructed them to extend the warning to school owners and managers of other facilities that regularly host large crowds.
“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.
