The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general election.
The warning was issued during separate meetings the agency
held with the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
in Osogbo on Wednesday.
Mustapha Olawuyi, president of the Osun state Muslim
community, reportedly confirmed the meeting on Friday, adding that religious
leaders had been advised to take preventive measures.
Olawuyi said the DSS had also warned Muslim leaders about
the possible infiltration of the state by suspicious individuals.
“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,”the Punch quoted Olawuyi as saying.
“We had, some time ago, sent back some herders, numbering
about 200, who flooded Osun from the Ikirun axis. There were also some
individuals who came into the state on motorcycles. They didn’t understand our
language and we had to send them back. The DSS is doing a very good job in
terms of intelligence and alerting the people.”
In an audio message sent to imams across the state, Olawuyi
said the DSS informed them of a plot involving politicians and terrorists to
frustrate the 2027 elections.
“The DSS came from Abuja to Osun to warn us about a plot by
some politicians and terrorists to frustrate the 2027 election, and for every
one of us to be careful,” he said.
Olawuyi said the agency advised religious centres to tighten
security, including preventing vehicles from parking close to congregations
during Jumat prayers and other gatherings.
The Muslim leaders were also advised against allowing people
to sleep in mosques and were urged to have night guards at worship centres.
Similarly, John Adeleke, Osun CAN chairman, confirmed that
the Christian leaders also met with the DSS and were advised to strengthen
security at churches, schools and other places where large numbers of people
gather.
A report of the meeting circulated among Christian groups
said the DSS had intelligence that terrorists had mapped Osun state and planned
to attack gathering centres, including churches, mosques, markets, schools,
clubs and viewing centres.
According to the report, the attackers were allegedly
planning to move through Kaduna and Jos before reaching Osun.
Adeleke said church leaders were advised to discourage night
programmes and sensitise members to remain vigilant.
“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.
“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.”
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