The Nigeria Police Force has issued a nationwide security alert over intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on churches, schools, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps and other vulnerable locations across the country.
The warning was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, issued by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The message, referenced as CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, was marked “Security General” and classified as “Treat as Very Important.”
It was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police in all states, Mobile Police units, counter-terrorism formations and other specialised police units.
Copies were also sent to several departments and formations at the Force Headquarters, including Intelligence, Finance and Administration, the Directorate of Training and Development, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Research and Planning, Information and Communication Technology and the Force Security Department.
According to the police communication, intelligence available to the Department of Operations points to an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” targeting places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.
The alert identified the North-East, North-West, North-Central and parts of the South-West as areas of particular concern.
The Force also disclosed that intelligence had indicated the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.
Police authorities further reported that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and their local collaborators were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.
The threat to educational institutions was described as particularly concerning because possible attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
The police warned that terrorist groups could attempt to exploit the concentration of students and staff in schools to cause mass casualties.
The alert also raised concerns about the possibility of attacks being carried out ahead of the 2027 general elections, potentially with the aim of creating fear, disrupting communities and increasing insecurity before the polls.
The Department of Operations assessed the intelligence as a possible progression from “intent to preparatory activity” and directed police formations to take immediate and proactive security measures.
All affected commands and formations were ordered to strengthen security around places of worship, schools, NYSC camps and other vulnerable locations.
The measures include increased intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and improved rapid-response arrangements around locations considered vulnerable.
Commissioners of Police were also directed to tighten security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other strategic approaches to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.
The Force ordered police commanders to work closely with other security and intelligence agencies, school authorities, religious leaders and NYSC management to improve information sharing and establish effective early-warning mechanisms.
Commands were further instructed to identify and immediately address any security gaps that could be exploited by terrorists.
The police urged all personnel to maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established security channels.
The Force also directed that any credible threat or security incident be reported immediately to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of Operations.
All affected commands were ordered to ensure strict compliance with the directive and provide feedback on the security measures put in place.
The alert comes amid continued security challenges involving terrorist and armed groups in parts of Nigeria, with the police urging security personnel and relevant institutions to take preventive measures rather than wait for threats to materialise.
