The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a nationwide security alert over intelligence suggesting terrorist groups are mobilising for coordinated attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps, and other soft targets.
The warning was contained in a wireless message dated September 13, 2026, issued by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Marked “Security General” and classified “Treat as Very Important,” the message was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police across Zones 1 to 17, state Commissioners of Police, Mobile Police units, counter-terrorism formations, and other specialised commands.
According to the police, available intelligence points to an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements” planning coordinated strikes on worship centres, schools, NYSC camps, and other vulnerable locations. The North-East, North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South-West were flagged as regions requiring heightened vigilance.
The Force also reported the movement of armed individuals from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State, and said suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and local collaborators have been conducting surveillance and reconnaissance on potential targets.
Police expressed particular concern that terrorists could exploit the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session — when schools are filled with students and staff — to carry out mass-casualty attacks. The intelligence report also flagged the possibility of attacks timed ahead of the 2027 general elections, aimed at spreading fear and destabilising communities before the polls.
The Department of Operations described the situation as having moved from “intent to preparatory activity,” prompting an order for immediate preventive action.
In response, police commands nationwide have been directed to beef up security around schools, worship centres, NYSC camps, and other identified soft targets. Commanders were ordered to step up intelligence gathering, surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control, and rapid-response readiness. Commissioners of Police were also told to reinforce security along state borders and major entry and exit routes to curb the movement of armed groups.
The Force further directed commands to strengthen collaboration with other security agencies, religious leaders, school authorities, and NYSC management to improve intelligence sharing and early-warning systems, with instructions to address any identified security gaps without delay.
“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” the police said, adding that credible threats or incidents should be reported immediately to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of Operations.
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