Police Issue Nationwide Red Alert Over Planned Terrorist Attacks on Schools, Churches, Mosques

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a nationwide security alert following intelligence indicating that terrorist elements may be mobilising to carry out coordinated attacks on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations across the country.

The alert was contained in a wireless message dated September 13, 2026, with reference number CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68. The message, issued by the Department of Operations, NIGPOL DOPS, Abuja, was marked “Security General — Treat as Very Important.”

According to the police intelligence, the threat level has reportedly moved beyond mere intent to what the Force described as preparatory activity.

The alert identified increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on worship centres, learning institutions, NYSC camps and other soft targets.

The North-East, North-West and North-Central zones, as well as parts of the South-West, were identified as areas of particular concern.

The police also reported that armed elements had been sighted moving from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

Suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and their local collaborators were also said to be conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

According to the alert, the suspected attackers could seek to exploit the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session, when large numbers of students and staff would be concentrated in schools, to cause mass casualties.

The Force also warned that terrorist attacks could be planned ahead of the 2027 general elections in an attempt to destabilise communities and create fear among citizens.

Police order heightened security

The alert was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in Zones 1 to 17, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units, specialised formations and Commissioners of Police in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Other departments, including Intelligence, the Criminal Investigation Department, Training, ICT, Research and Planning, and Force Security, also received copies.

The Department of Operations directed commanders to immediately strengthen security around vulnerable locations, particularly places of worship, schools, NYSC camps and other potential soft targets.

Commands were also ordered to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements.

Commissioners of Police were further directed to tighten security at state borders and entry and exit routes in order to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.

The Force also instructed its commands to work closely with other security agencies, school authorities, religious leaders and NYSC management to improve intelligence sharing and activate early-warning mechanisms.

“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” the police stated.

The Force directed that any credible threat or security incident be reported immediately to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of Operations.

Commands were also instructed to ensure strict compliance with the directives and submit feedback on the measures deployed.

Security concerns ahead of school resumption, 2027 elections

The alert comes as schools prepare for the 2026/2027 academic session and political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The police intelligence indicates that terrorists may seek to exploit crowded public spaces and vulnerable institutions to cause casualties and generate widespread fear.

The Force specifically identified ISWAP operatives and local collaborators in its assessment, although it did not attribute the reported threat to any other specific organisation.

The reported movement of armed elements through Katsina, Kaduna and Plateau has also heightened concerns over the possible spread of insecurity across established routes linking parts of northern Nigeria.

The police have consequently urged members of the public, religious organisations, educational institutions and other stakeholders to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Authorities are also expected to strengthen coordination and preventive security measures around locations considered vulnerable to potential attacks.