By Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on residents to report suspicious movements or individuals in their neighbourhoods to security agencies without delay, following intelligence pointing to a terrorist plot targeting places of worship and markets in the state.
The governor’s appeal came in response to a report detailing a meeting the Department of State Services held with leaders of the Osun Muslim Community and the Christian Association of Nigeria. At that meeting, religious leaders were briefed on intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning to mobilise into South-West states to cause mayhem, part of a broader scheme aimed at generating voter apathy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adeleke’s Response
Reacting through a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Sunday, Adeleke urged members of the public to alert security agencies if they noticed an influx of unfamiliar faces, particularly in the state’s border communities.
“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,” Adeleke said.
The governor commended the DSS for its proactive handling of the threat and directed other security agencies to review the situation and develop an action plan to strengthen protection of lives and property across the state.
“I commend the Department of State Service (DSS) for taking proactive measures to counter the threats. I charge other security agencies to review the situation and develop an action plan to strengthen the security of lives and properties,” he said.
Security Council Meeting to Follow
Adeleke said he would soon convene a meeting of the State Security Council to assess the situation and evaluate how well existing response plans are working. “I will soon convene the State Security Council meeting to assess the situation and the workability of our response plans. As residents of this state, we must collaborate with the security agencies through information sharing,” he said.
Call for Community Vigilance
Beyond appealing directly to residents, the governor urged caution regarding who people choose to host within their communities and called on traditional rulers to convene meetings of their traditional councils to discuss the development. “Our royal fathers to also host their traditional council meetings on this development. We must nip in the bud the evil plans of enemies of public peace,” Adeleke said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining post-election peace, stating that the state government would tighten security measures to prevent terrorists and bandits from disrupting public order. “Our administration is committed to post-election peace-building, and we must tighten state security to foil any attempt by terrorists and bandits to disrupt public peace,” he said.
