Governor Adeleke Urges Vigilance After DSS Alerts Osun Worship Centres to Alleged Terror Plot | Sahara Reporters

The governor particularly urged residents in border communities to be vigilant and report any unusual influx of people.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and individuals to security agencies following reported plans by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres in the state.

Adeleke made the call in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in response to an alert over alleged plans to carry out attacks in Osun.

The governor particularly urged residents in border communities to be vigilant and report any unusual influx of people.

“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports, with 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,” Adeleke said.

The governor commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for what he described as proactive measures to counter the reported threats.

He also directed other security agencies to review the security situation and develop an action plan to strengthen the protection of lives and property in the state.

“I commend the Department of State Service (DSS) for taking proactive measures to counter the threats. I charge other security agencies to review the situation and develop an action plan to strengthen security of lives and properties,” he said.

Adeleke added that he would soon convene a meeting of the State Security Council to assess the situation and determine the effectiveness of the state’s response plans.

“As residents of this state, we must collaborate with the security agencies through information sharing,” he said.

The governor also urged residents to be cautious about people they accommodate in their communities and called on traditional rulers to convene meetings of their traditional councils to discuss the security concerns.

“We should be wary of people we host in our communities. On this note, I charge our royal fathers to also host their traditional council meetings on this development. We must nip in the bud the evil plans of enemies of public peace,” Adeleke said.

The governor’s warning followed a report by Sunday PUNCH that the DSS had alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres as part of efforts to disrupt the 2027 general elections.

According to the report, the DSS held separate meetings with Muslim leaders and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osogbo on Wednesday, September 9, where religious leaders were advised to take preventive measures against possible attacks.

The President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, confirmed the meeting and said religious leaders had been advised to remain vigilant.

“The meeting is true; it was held on Wednesday in Osogbo. We need to be careful and vigilant. These people (terrorists) have been trying to infiltrate Osun for quite some time,” Olawuyi was quoted as saying.

He said the DSS had also provided security guidance to the Muslim community, including warnings about suspicious persons, vehicles and commercial motorcycles around mosques.

In an audio message sent to imams across the state, Olawuyi said the DSS informed Muslim leaders of an alleged plot involving terrorists and politicians to frustrate the 2027 elections.

Olawuyi said religious centres had been advised to strengthen security, including preventing vehicles from parking close to congregations during Jumat prayers and other gatherings.

He also said mosque leaders were advised against allowing people to sleep in mosques and were warned to be cautious of “compromised commercial motorcycles and herders.”

The Osun CAN Chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, also confirmed the meeting with the DSS and said Christian leaders had been advised to strengthen security around churches and other places where large numbers of people gather.

An extract from a report circulated among some Christian WhatsApp groups in the state said the DSS informed CAN leaders that terrorists had allegedly mapped Osun State and were planning attacks on public gathering centres.

“Their targets are places of gathering, such as churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs or viewing centres, etc., and we are asked to put tight security in place in our churches,” the report stated.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the CAN chairman said church leaders were advised not to allow unknown vehicles to park near church premises and to be cautious about visitors.

“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,” he said.

He added that religious leaders were advised to be cautious about night programmes and to encourage members to report suspicious activities.

Governor Adeleke said his administration remained committed to maintaining peace in the state, particularly as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

“Our administration is committed to post-election peace building and we must tighten state security to foil any attempt by terrorists and bandits to disrupt public peace,” he said.