Gov. Adeleke warns Osun residents of imminent threats to worship centres

By Joshua Oladipo

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has urged residents to report any suspicious movements or individuals in their communities to security agencies without delay.

Adeleke made the call in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday in Osogbo. The appeal followed reports of alleged plans by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres in the state.

The governor urged residents to alert security agencies whenever they noticed an influx of strange faces, particularly in border communities.

“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.

Adeleke commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for taking proactive measures to counter the alleged threats.

“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 governor said his administration remained committed to post-election peace-building and would tighten security across the state to foil any attempt by terrorists and bandits to disrupt public peace.

It was learnt that the DSS had alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in the state to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres as part of efforts to frustrate the 2027 general elections.

The DSS was also said to have held separate meetings with the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osogbo on Wednesday, where religious leaders were advised to take preventive measures against possible attacks.

The development followed an intelligence report that terrorists were plotting to spread insecurity to the southern part of the country, particularly the South-West, and create tension ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The President of the State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, and the Chairman of CAN in the state, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed meeting with the DSS over the matter. They said the security report was genuine, adding that the religious bodies had been advised on preventive measures.

NAN