NEWS
Police Raise Nationwide Alarm Over Planned Terrorist Attacks on Churches, Schools, NYSC Camps
The Nigeria Police Force has raised a nationwide security alert following intelligence indicating an increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, learning institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable targets across the country.
The warning was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, issued by the Department of Operations (NIGPOL DOPS), Abuja, and obtained by SaharaReporters.
The communication, marked “Security General” and tagged “Treat as Very Important,” was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1–17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised formations, as well as Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It was also copied to several departments and formations at Force Headquarters, including Intelligence, Finance and Administration, the Directorate of Training and Development, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Research and Planning, ICT and the Force Security Department, underscoring the seriousness with which the police are treating the intelligence.
According to the Department of Operations, available intelligence points to an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” targeting places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other locations considered vulnerable to attacks.
The police identified the North-East, North-West, North-Central and parts of the South-West as areas of particular concern, while warning that the threat could extend beyond the identified regions.
Of particular concern to the security authorities is intelligence indicating the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
The Force also disclosed that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and their local collaborators were allegedly conducting surveillance and reconnaissance around potential targets, suggesting that the threat may have progressed beyond planning into preparatory stages.
The police expressed particular concern over possible attacks on learning institutions, especially as schools prepare for the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
According to the security assessment, terrorists could attempt to exploit the large concentration of students, teachers and other staff in schools to inflict mass casualties and generate widespread panic.
The police further linked the emerging threat to the political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that terrorist elements could attempt to destabilise communities, heighten insecurity and create fear ahead of the polls.
The Department of Operations assessed the intelligence as a possible progression from “intent to preparatory activity,” describing the development as one requiring immediate and proactive security measures rather than a situation that should be addressed only after an incident occurs.
Consequently, all affected commands and formations were directed to immediately strengthen security around places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.
Commanders were ordered to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements, particularly around locations already identified as vulnerable.
Commissioners of Police were also directed to tighten security at state borders, entry and exit routes, major approaches and other strategic locations in an effort to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.
The Force further directed its commanders to strengthen collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, school authorities, religious leaders and the management of the National Youth Service Corps.
The collaboration, according to the directive, is expected to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen community-level vigilance and establish more effective early-warning mechanisms capable of detecting suspicious activities before they develop into attacks.
Police formations were equally instructed to identify and immediately close any existing security gaps around vulnerable locations.
The Force emphasised the importance of vigilance among its personnel and called for the prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” the message stated.
The police also directed that every credible threat or security incident be reported immediately to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of Operations.
All commands and formations were subsequently ordered to ensure strict compliance with the directive and provide feedback on the security measures implemented in response to the intelligence.
The nationwide alert comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding the movement of armed groups and the vulnerability of crowded public institutions. By directing intensified surveillance, border controls, intelligence sharing and rapid-response measures, the police are seeking to prevent the reported mobilisation from translating into coordinated attacks and to protect citizens and critical institutions across the country.