Security agencies have heightened surveillance around schools, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship and other vulnerable locations following intelligence indicating possible plans by terrorist elements to carry out coordinated attacks in parts of Nigeria.
The Nigeria Police Force issued a security alert to its formations nationwide, warning that the planned attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
According to the alert circulated by the Force’s Department of Operations, intelligence indicated an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” targeting places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.
The communication was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police across the states, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised formations.
The police said intelligence had also indicated the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
It further warned that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and local collaborators were allegedly conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.
The Force described the potential threat to educational institutions as particularly concerning because of the timing of the school resumption.
Police formations were therefore directed to increase surveillance and security around schools, religious centres, NYSC camps and other locations considered vulnerable to attack.
“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” the police stated.
Commanders were also instructed to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified vulnerable areas.
Commissioners of Police were directed to strengthen security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other strategic approaches in an effort to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed groups.
The Defence Headquarters said it was also monitoring the situation.
“We are monitoring the situation,” the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, said.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has meanwhile said it has expanded its intelligence network across its state commands to strengthen the protection of schools and other learning institutions.
NSCDC spokesperson Babafemi Afolabi said the Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed personnel to remain vigilant as schools reopen.
He said intelligence-driven operations involving federal and tactical squads had previously helped to thwart more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.
“So, now that schools have resumed, they’ve doubled their intelligence network, and I’m very sure that nothing of such will happen,” Afolabi said.
He urged parents not to allow fear to prevent their children from returning to school, while stressing the need for cooperation between communities and security agencies.
“I would advise parents and their wards to just let them free to go to school. Nothing of such will happen.”
Afolabi also said the NSCDC was working with private security personnel across the country to strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure suspicious activities were reported promptly.
Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ali Amodu said the alert was part of the responsibility of security agencies to gather intelligence, warn citizens and take preventive measures.
Amodu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and vehicles, particularly around schools and places of worship.
He also stressed that security was a collective responsibility involving both law enforcement agencies and members of the public.
Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, similarly urged authorities and residents to take the warning seriously.
Ejiofor said intelligence indicating a possible attack should lead to immediate preventive measures rather than waiting for an incident to occur.
“If you get such an advisory, we should take it seriously so that people are not caught unawares.”
He called for stronger cooperation between the military, police, intelligence agencies, governments and communities, stressing that information from residents could help security agencies identify suspicious activity before an attack occurs.
The warning has also heightened concerns among parents.
Ibrahim Nabayi, National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, said many parents were already worried about sending their children back to school.
“Parents are worried now, parents are scared of sending children back to school,” he said.
Nabayi called on governments to deploy additional resources and technology to protect schools, particularly those located in areas considered vulnerable.
He advocated systems capable of monitoring activities around schools and detecting potential threats before they reach school premises.
He also called for stronger implementation of the Safe School Initiative, noting that schools in vulnerable communities should be properly mapped and connected to security structures capable of responding quickly to threats.
Rather than shutting down schools across the board, Nabayi suggested that pupils in particularly vulnerable locations could temporarily be moved to safer schools where necessary.
He warned that prolonged school closures could further disadvantage children who lack reliable access to online learning.
Nabayi also urged communities to take a more active role in protecting schools, saying residents should promptly report suspicious persons, objects or movements to security agencies.
“Security is not the responsibility of the government alone. The communities where schools reside should be proactive.”
The latest warning comes amid continuing security concerns in parts of the country, including previous attacks and abductions involving schools and other public institutions.
However, the police alert is a warning based on intelligence about possible attacks, and does not mean that an attack is certain to occur at any particular school, NYSC camp or place of worship.
Security agencies have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity through established channels and avoid spreading unverified information that could create unnecessary panic.
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