The Department of State Services, Sokoto State Command, has raised an alarm over intelligence indicating that terrorists and bandit groups may be planning attacks on tertiary institutions across the state.
The warning was contained in a letter dated July 18, 2026, and addressed to the Sokoto State Government. The document was signed on behalf of the State Director of Security, B. Abdulaziz.
In the security alert titled “Planned Attack on Tertiary Institutions by Terrorist and Bandit Gangs,” the DSS disclosed that criminal elements were reportedly moving their attention away from primary and secondary schools to universities and other tertiary institutions.
The Service said the institutions could become targets because they host large numbers of students, academic and non-academic personnel, as well as their family members, potentially exposing them to abduction.
The DSS further cautioned that any attack on tertiary institutions could interrupt academic programmes and heighten fear among students and members of staff.
It consequently called for an urgent assessment and reinforcement of existing security arrangements around tertiary institutions throughout Sokoto State.
According to the Service, relevant security and emergency response agencies had already been informed of the threat and were advised to implement preventive measures aimed at averting possible attacks and safeguarding students, staff and educational facilities.
The DSS also appealed to the Sokoto State Government to adopt a coordinated approach towards strengthening security at universities and other tertiary institutions across the state.
