Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or movements in their communities to security agencies following alleged plans by terrorists to attack worship centres and other public gathering places in the state.
Adeleke made the call in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday in Osogbo.
Recall that NPO Reports had earlier reported that the Department of State Services (DSS) had alerted religious leaders in Osun State over an alleged plot by terrorists to attack worship centres, markets and other public gathering places in the state.
The DSS had held separate meetings with representatives of the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday, where religious leaders were advised to take preventive measures against possible attacks.
The alert followed intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning to extend insecurity to southern Nigeria, particularly the South-West, in an attempt to create tension ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governor particularly urged residents in border communities to report any unusual influx of unfamiliar persons, stressing the importance of timely intelligence sharing in preventing potential attacks.
“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports on noticeable threats in our communities.
“As we are aware of alleged plots to attack our places of worship, we must become extra vigilant. Report anything unusual without any delay,” he said.
Adeleke commended the Department of State Services for taking proactive steps to address the alleged threat and directed other security agencies to review the situation and strengthen their response plans.
The governor called on residents to work closely with security agencies by providing relevant information, while urging communities to exercise caution over people they accommodate.
He further tasked traditional rulers with convening meetings of their traditional councils to deliberate on the development and strengthen community-level security measures.
Adeleke assured residents that his administration remained committed to maintaining peace in the state, particularly through its post-election peace-building efforts, adding that security would be tightened to prevent terrorists and bandits from disrupting public order.