Security agencies have intensified surveillance around schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations following intelligence of possible coordinated terrorist attacks across Nigeria.

The Nigeria Police Force issued the warning in a security alert circulated to formations nationwide, saying the suspected attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

According to the police communication, intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on schools, worship centres, NYSC camps and other vulnerable targets.

The alert was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police across the states, Mobile Police units, counter-terrorism formations and other specialised units.

The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

It further said suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and local collaborators were carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

The Force subsequently directed commands and formations to strengthen security around schools, worship centres, NYSC camps and other locations considered vulnerable.

Personnel were ordered to maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements and objects through established channels.

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

Security measures were also ordered at state borders, entry and exit routes and other critical approaches to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.

The Defence Headquarters said it was 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 also said it had strengthened its intelligence network across state commands to protect schools and other learning institutions.

The NSCDC spokesperson, Babafemi Afolabi, said intelligence-driven operations by federal and tactical squads had thwarted more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

He said the Commandant-General had briefed state commandants and directed officers and personnel to remain vigilant as schools reopened.

Afolabi urged parents to allow their children to return to school, while encouraging communities to cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities.

He said the NSCDC was also working with private security personnel to improve intelligence gathering around schools.

Experts urge vigilance

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, said the security alert was part of the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence, warn citizens and prevent attacks.

He urged Nigerians to take the warning seriously and report suspicious persons, vehicles and movements, particularly around places of worship and other public facilities.

Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, similarly urged security agencies, governments and citizens to act on the intelligence to prevent attacks.

He stressed the importance of community-based intelligence, saying residents should report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Parents express concern

Parents have expressed concerns about sending their children back to school amid the latest security warning.

The National Secretary of the Uche Onyia-led faction of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Nabayi, said parents were worried and called on governments to urgently strengthen security around schools.

Nabayi advocated the deployment of technology capable of detecting potential threats within a five-kilometre radius of schools.

He also called for the revival and proper implementation of the Safe School Initiative, saying stronger cooperation among government agencies, communities, security personnel and parent-teacher associations was needed.

Rather than shutting schools in high-risk areas indefinitely, he suggested relocating pupils temporarily to safer schools where necessary.

Nabayi said prolonged school closures could disadvantage children who lacked access to online learning.

The latest warning comes after previous attacks and abductions targeting schools and other public institutions.

In May 2026, armed men reportedly attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler. A mathematics teacher was also reportedly killed while in captivity.

The Department of State Services had also previously alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.