The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The security alert reportedly followed intelligence indicating that terrorists may be planning to expand their activities to the southern part of Nigeria, particularly the South-West, in an attempt to create fear, insecurity and apathy ahead of the presidential election.

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The DSS reportedly held separate meetings with representatives of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Osogbo, where religious leaders were briefed on the alleged threat and advised to strengthen security measures around places of worship and other gathering points.

Confirming the meeting, the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Mustapha Olawuyi, said the religious leaders were advised to remain vigilant and take preventive measures.

“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 said.

He alleged that security concerns had previously led community members to send away groups of unfamiliar persons from parts of the state, particularly around the Ikirun axis.

According to him, the DSS warned of an alleged plot involving terrorists and some politicians to disrupt the 2027 electoral process by creating insecurity in the South-West.

“The DSS from Abuja warned 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 security agency informed the religious leaders that terrorists could mobilise towards the South-West and cause violence in an attempt to prevent elections from holding or discourage voters from participating.

He said the DSS specifically advised mosques to prevent vehicles from parking close to worshippers during Jumat prayers and other gatherings, while also warning against allowing unknown persons to sleep within mosque premises.

The Muslim leader added that religious centres were advised to be cautious of suspicious commercial motorcycle operators and unfamiliar herders, while night guards should be deployed at mosques.

“They advised that all religious centres should be watchful. They told us not to allow anybody with a car to park close to the people or congregation during Jumat prayer or gathering,” Olawuyi said.

He added that mosque authorities were also advised to strengthen overnight security.

The warning was similarly conveyed to Christian leaders in the state.

The Chairman of the Osun State chapter of CAN, Pastor John Adeleke, said the DSS urged churches and schools to strengthen their security arrangements and remain vigilant.

According to Adeleke, Christian leaders were advised against allowing unidentified vehicles to park close to church premises because of concerns that explosives could potentially be concealed inside them.

He said church leaders were also advised to identify and properly screen visitors before allowing them into church premises.

“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,” Adeleke said.

The CAN chairman further said churches were advised to exercise caution over night programmes, as security officials reportedly expressed concern that criminals could exploit darkness to carry out attacks.

“They also said we should be careful of night programmes, so that the people will not take advantage of the darkness to perpetrate their evil plans,” he said.

Adeleke said the information had subsequently been circulated to various CAN blocs and platforms across the state to ensure that churches and their members were adequately informed.

He also said school owners had been advised to take security seriously.

An extract from a report of the meeting obtained by Punch was titled “The Report of the Meeting Held with the Department of State Security Osun State Command Today, Wednesday, 9th September, 2026.”

The report, signed by the Assistant Secretary of Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K., said the DSS had called the meeting with the CAN chairman over security concerns in the state.

According to the report, the DSS informed the Christian leadership that its intelligence suggested that attackers or terrorists had allegedly mapped parts of Osun State and could target some states between the period of the briefing and the 2027 presidential election.

It stated that the alleged movement could involve routes through Kaduna and Jos before reaching Osun State.

The report listed churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs and viewing centres among the alleged targets.

“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.

The reported warning comes amid heightened security preparations across Nigeria as political parties and electoral stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Religious leaders in Osun have consequently urged worshippers and members of the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities to security agencies and avoid spreading unverified information that could create unnecessary panic.

The security alert has not been independently verified beyond the accounts of the religious leaders and the meeting report cited in the source material. The alleged terrorist plans should therefore be treated as a security warning rather than confirmation that an attack is imminent.