Gov Adeleke Issues Fresh Warning Over Planned Terrorist Attacks in Osun

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged residents to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious persons, movements and activities in their communities following an alleged plan by terrorists to attack parts of the state.

The governor’s warning came after the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun to a possible terrorist threat targeting places of worship and other locations where large numbers of people gather.

Adeleke, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday in Osogbo, said residents must not ignore unusual developments around them.

He particularly urged people living in border communities to be more careful, given the possibility of unfamiliar persons entering the state.

“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports on noticeable threats in our communities. As we are aware of alleged plots to attack our places of worship, we must become extra vigilant. Report anything unusual without any delay,” he said.

The governor also commended the DSS for what he described as its proactive approach to the reported threat.

He directed other security agencies in the state to review the situation and strengthen their security plans to prevent any attack.

Adeleke said he would convene a meeting of the State Security Council to assess the situation and determine the measures required to protect residents.

“I charge other security agencies to review the situation and develop an action plan to strengthen the security of lives and property. I will soon convene a State Security Council meeting to assess the situation and the workability of our response plans. As residents of this state, we must collaborate with the security agencies through information sharing. We should be wary of people we host in our communities. On this note, I charge our royal fathers to also convene meetings of their traditional councils to deliberate on this development. We must nip in the bud the evil plans of enemies of public peace,” he said.

The warning comes less than one month after the August 15 governorship election in Osun, which was preceded by political tension, allegations of threats and clashes in some parts of the state.

The latest security concern, however, is broader and is not limited to political activities.

The alleged threat reportedly covers churches, mosques and other public gathering centres.

According to information from the security briefing, the DSS separately met with representatives of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The religious leaders were reportedly advised to take preventive measures and increase security around their places of worship.

The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed that the meeting with the DSS took place.

He said the security agency had warned religious leaders about the possibility of terrorists moving into the South-West as part of an attempt to create insecurity and disrupt the 2027 general elections.

Olawuyi said religious centres should be more careful about people and vehicles around their premises.

He also raised concerns over possible infiltration through border areas and advised communities to take intelligence gathering seriously.

The Christian Association of Nigeria in Osun also confirmed its meeting with the DSS.

The state CAN chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, said Christian leaders were advised to strengthen security arrangements in churches, schools and other places where people gather in large numbers.

According to him, churches were advised to pay attention to unfamiliar visitors and vehicles around their premises.

Religious leaders were also reportedly advised to be cautious about night programmes because criminals could take advantage of darkness to carry out attacks.

“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,” he said.

A report circulated among some Christian leaders further claimed that terrorists had mapped parts of Osun and could target public gathering centres before the 2027 presidential election.

The alleged targets reportedly include churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres.

The report said the attackers could attempt to move through parts of the North-Central before entering Osun.

Governor Adeleke said his administration would not allow terrorists, bandits or other criminal elements to take advantage of the situation to create fear among residents.

He also called on traditional rulers to play a greater role in monitoring developments within their domains.

The governor said community leaders have an important role to play because they are often in the best position to notice unfamiliar persons or unusual movements in their areas.

Adeleke maintained that the protection of lives and property remained a priority of his administration.

He urged residents not to panic but to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information.