Security Agencies Heighten Surveillance as Intelligence Points to Coordinated Attacks Across Nigeria
Security agencies have heightened surveillance around schools, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship and other vulnerable locations following intelligence indicating plans by terrorists to launch coordinated attacks across the country.
The Nigeria Police Force, in a security alert circulated to its formations nationwide, said the attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
According to the alert, intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC camps and other vulnerable locations.
The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State, while suspected ISWAP operatives and local collaborators were allegedly conducting surveillance of potential targets.
The Force directed commands to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified vulnerable locations.
Commissioners of Police were also ordered to strengthen security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other critical approaches to prevent the movement of armed elements.
The Defence Headquarters said it was monitoring the situation, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it had doubled its intelligence network across its state commands to protect schools and other learning institutions.
NSCDC spokesperson Babafemi Afolabi said intelligence-driven operations by federal and tactical squads had thwarted more than 100 attempted attacks on schools. He urged parents to allow their children to return to school while calling on communities to promptly report suspicious activities.
Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ali Amodu and former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies.
Ejiofor said preventive intelligence should be taken seriously, stressing that government, security agencies and citizens all had roles to play in preventing attacks.
Meanwhile, parents have expressed concerns over the safety of their children. National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools and revive the Safe School Initiative.
Nabayi also called for the deployment of technology to monitor threats around schools and stronger collaboration among security agencies, communities and parent-teacher associations.
He said schools in high-risk areas could temporarily relocate pupils to safer institutions rather than shutting down completely, stressing that prolonged closures could further disadvantage children.
The latest alert comes amid previous attacks and abductions targeting schools and public institutions, including the May 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, where 49 people were reportedly abducted and a mathematics teacher was killed in captivity.