Security agencies across Nigeria have intensified surveillance at schools, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship, and other vulnerable locations following intelligence reports of planned coordinated terrorist attacks nationwide.
The Nigeria Police Force, in a security alert distributed to its formations nationwide, warned that these attacks could coincide with the start of the 2026/2027 academic session. According to police communications, intelligence from the Department of Operations highlighted “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on educational institutions, worship centres, NYSC camps, and other high-risk areas.
The alert was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in Zones 1–17, Mobile Police units, counter-terrorism teams, specialised formations, and Commissioners of Police across all states. Departments at Force Headquarters—including Intelligence, Finance and Administration, Training and Development, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Research and Planning, ICT, and the Force Security Department—were also notified.
Intelligence indicated the movement of armed groups from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State. The alert noted that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and local collaborators were conducting surveillance of potential targets.
The police highlighted the particular risk to schools, warning that attacks may coincide with the reopening of classes. Consequently, the Department of Operations instructed all formations and commands to bolster security at schools, places of worship, NYSC camps, and other vulnerable sites. Officers were directed to remain highly vigilant, report suspicious persons, vehicles, or objects, and intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control, and rapid-response measures.
Commissioners of Police were also tasked with tightening security at state borders and key entry and exit routes to prevent the movement of armed elements. The Defence Headquarters confirmed it was closely monitoring the situation. “We are monitoring the situation,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has also doubled its intelligence efforts across state commands to protect schools and other educational institutions. NSCDC spokesperson Babafemi Afolabi noted that federal and tactical squads had already thwarted more than 100 attempted attacks on schools. He assured that all tactical units had been briefed, and intelligence networks expanded, especially since schools have resumed.
Addressing concerns among parents, Afolabi encouraged them to allow their children to return to school, emphasizing increased collaboration with other security agencies and community leaders. He stressed that security is a collective responsibility, urging the public to promptly report any suspicious activity.
NSCDC is also coordinating with private security personnel nationwide to enhance intelligence gathering. “We work together with other sister agencies and private guards,” Afolabi added. “They are being trained to report any suspicious activity in their areas.”
Expert Reactions and Public Concerns
Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ali Amodu and former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor both called for heightened vigilance from residents and security agencies in response to the alert. Amodu emphasized that issuing such alerts is a core duty of law enforcement, urging citizens to remain alert and report unusual activity, especially around places of worship. He noted that all security agencies are expected to take appropriate action upon receiving intelligence alerts.
Ejiofor stated that the DSS advisory aligns with its mandate to prevent and detect crime, stressing that all security agencies and citizens must take such warnings seriously. He highlighted the importance of community intelligence in detecting threats early, reinforcing the “see something, say something” principle.
Parents Express Fears Over School Security
Parents across the country are increasingly anxious about sending their children back to school amid the rising threat of attacks, according to Ibrahim Nabayi, National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN). Nabayi described the situation as “unfortunate” and appealed to government at all levels to urgently strengthen security around schools.
He urged the Federal Government to deploy advanced technology to detect threats within a five-kilometre radius of schools and respond proactively. Nabayi also highlighted the challenge faced by school security personnel, who are often outmatched by heavily armed attackers, and recalled the Safe School Initiative introduced by the current Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, during his tenure as Chief of Defence Staff. This initiative involved mapping schools for better coordination, surveillance, and rapid response.
Nabayi called for renewed commitment to the Safe School Initiative and greater collaboration between government, communities, and parent-teacher associations. He suggested that in high-risk areas, relocating students to safer schools is preferable to outright closures, as prolonged shutdowns could disadvantage children without access to online learning.
He also advocated for including parent-teacher associations in formulating security strategies and sensitising communities on preventing attacks. Nabayi noted that NAPTAN had previously run sensitisation programmes for school stakeholders, but these were suspended due to funding constraints. He expressed concern over inconsistent policy implementation and urged the government to revive and properly execute the Safe School Initiative.
Nabayi recommended the deployment of technology to monitor activities around schools and called on the government to partner with parents, who can help educate their children about safety and reporting suspicious activity. He acknowledged the legitimacy of parents’ fears and stressed that no parent should have to put their child at risk.
Nabayi further urged journalists to independently verify the implementation of safety initiatives in schools, stressing that government investment in education is wasted if students are not safe to learn.
Background
This latest security alert comes in the wake of previous attacks and abductions targeting schools and public institutions. In May 2026, dozens of students and teachers were kidnapped in separate incidents, including the abduction of 49 people from three schools in Oyo State, where a mathematics teacher was killed in captivity. The Department of State Services has also previously alerted religious leaders in Osun State to alleged terrorist plans targeting places of worship and gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.
