Terrorists, Informants Spying On Schools, Other Targets – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has raised the alarm over plans by suspected terrorists to carry out coordinated attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations across the country.

The warning followed intelligence indicating increased movement and mobilisation of armed groups, with security agencies subsequently directed to strengthen surveillance around potential targets as schools resume for the 2026/2027 academic session.

A security alert circulated to police formations nationwide stated that suspected terrorist elements were preparing for possible coordinated attacks on vulnerable locations. The alert was distributed to police zones, mobile units, counter-terrorism formations and state commands, among others.

The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State, raising concerns over possible attempts to move fighters into other parts of the country.

Security authorities further said suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) members and their local collaborators were carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance around possible targets.

The police described the threat to schools and other learning institutions as particularly concerning because the attacks could coincide with the reopening of schools.

Police commands were therefore directed to increase intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response measures around identified vulnerable locations.

Commissioners of Police were also instructed to strengthen security at state borders, entry and exit points and other routes that could be used by armed groups to move between states.

The Defence Headquarters said it was monitoring the situation and maintaining awareness of developments linked to the reported threat.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also said it had expanded its intelligence network across its state commands to protect schools and other educational institutions.

The NSCDC said its Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed officers and tactical teams to remain vigilant as schools reopened.

The corps added that intelligence-based operations carried out in cooperation with other security agencies had helped prevent more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

It urged parents to allow their children to return to school but called for closer cooperation between communities and security agencies to detect and report suspicious activities.

The NSCDC also said it was working with private security companies and guards across the country to improve intelligence gathering around schools and other vulnerable areas.

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ali Amodu said security alerts were part of the responsibility of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they allow citizens and authorities to take preventive measures before threats materialise.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report unfamiliar people, suspicious movements and vehicles, particularly around schools and places of worship.

Amodu said security agencies, including the police, Department of State Services and military, would be expected to act on intelligence received and take appropriate measures to prevent attacks.

Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, also called on authorities and citizens to take the warning seriously.

Ejiofor said information about possible attacks should trigger immediate preventive action by the military, police, intelligence agencies, governments and local communities.

He stressed the importance of information from residents, saying people living around vulnerable locations could help security agencies identify unusual activities before they develop into security incidents.

Meanwhile, parents have expressed concern over the safety of their children following the latest security warning.

The National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi, said many parents were worried about sending their children back to school amid reports of possible terrorist attacks.

Nabayi called on governments at all levels to urgently strengthen security around educational institutions and deploy technology capable of detecting threats approaching schools.

He said many schools remained vulnerable because their existing security arrangements might not be sufficient to confront heavily armed attackers.

The parent association official also called for renewed implementation of the Safe School Initiative, which he said was introduced during the tenure of the current Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, as Chief of Defence Staff.

According to him, the initiative involved mapping schools, improving surveillance and establishing arrangements for rapid security responses.

Nabayi said the association had previously raised the matter with the Defence Minister and urged the government to sustain and strengthen the programme.

He also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies, communities and parent-teacher associations, saying residents around schools should be encouraged to report suspicious persons, objects and activities.

On schools located in areas facing serious security threats, Nabayi supported temporary relocation of pupils to safer institutions rather than prolonged closure.

He recalled that a similar approach had previously been used in Kaduna State, where pupils from vulnerable areas were moved to safer locations to enable them to complete examinations.

He warned that prolonged school closures could worsen educational disadvantages, especially for children who lack access to online learning facilities.

Nabayi further proposed the deployment of technology to monitor activities around schools, suggesting that threats within a defined radius could be detected and communicated to a central security monitoring system.

He said parent-teacher associations should be involved in security planning and community sensitisation, noting that parents could help educate children on identifying and reporting suspicious activities.

The latest police warning comes amid previous attacks on schools and public institutions. In May 2026, separate incidents reportedly resulted in the abduction of pupils and teachers, including an attack on three schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area in which 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler were reportedly abducted.

The DSS had also previously alerted Christian and Muslim 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.