Police Raise Security Alert Over Planned Terror Attacks on Schools, Churches, NYSC Camps

The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have heightened security across the country following intelligence reports indicating plans by suspected terrorists and other non-state actors to attack schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and recreational centres during the ember months.

The development prompted the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters to issue a security alert to police formations, zonal and state commands, as well as tactical units, including the Police Counter-Terrorism Units, Bomb Disposal Unit and Police Mobile Force.

According to the alert, there is an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.

The warning comes ahead of the resumption of schools for the 2026/2027 academic session, with security agencies expressing concerns that the planned attacks could coincide with the reopening of academic institutions.

The intelligence has reportedly been shared with sister security agencies as part of ongoing joint efforts to prevent possible attacks.

Sources said the intelligence indicated the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna to Plateau State.

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It also revealed that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and their local collaborators were allegedly conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

Following the development, police formations and commands were directed to strengthen security around schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.

Personnel were also ordered to maintain heightened vigilance and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements and objects through established security channels.

The directive further mandated intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response measures around identified vulnerable locations.

Commissioners of Police were equally directed to tighten security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other critical approaches to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.

Vanguard reports that Military authorities, who confirmed awareness of the intelligence, said they were monitoring the situation and had placed troops on alert for possible interdiction operations.

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