The Nigeria Police Force has raised a nationwide red alert following intelligence indicating increased mobilisation by terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.
The alert, contained in a wireless message dated September 13, 2026, was issued by the Department of Operations, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, and marked “Security General – Treat as Very Important.”
According to the police signal, the security threat has moved beyond mere “intent” to preparatory activity, prompting the Force to direct commanders across the country to immediately strengthen security around potential targets.
The intelligence identified the North-East, North-West, North-Central and parts of the South-West as areas of particular concern.
The police also reported that armed elements had been sighted moving from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State, raising concerns over possible movement and infiltration by criminal or terrorist networks.
The alert further indicated that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and local collaborators were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.
Police warned that attacks could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session, potentially exploiting the concentration of students and staff to cause mass casualties.
The Force also linked the security concerns to the approaching 2027 general elections, warning that attacks could be aimed at destabilising communities, spreading fear and undermining public confidence in the security system.
Police Order Immediate Security Measures
The directive 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.
It was also shared with relevant intelligence, Criminal Investigation Department, training, ICT, research and planning units and Force Security at the Force Headquarters.
The Department of Operations directed commanders to immediately harden vulnerable locations, particularly schools, places of worship, NYSC camps and other soft targets.
Police formations were ordered to intensify intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements.
Commissioners of Police were also directed to tighten security at state borders, entry and exit routes in order to prevent the movement and infiltration of armed elements.
The Force further 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 directive stated.
The Force ordered that any credible threat or security incident be reported immediately to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of Operations.
Commands were also directed to ensure strict compliance with the measures and provide feedback on security arrangements put in place.
Schools, Worship Centres and NYSC Camps in Focus
The alert comes at a particularly sensitive period as schools prepare for the 2026/2027 academic session, NYSC orientation activities continue and political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
The identification of schools, churches, mosques and NYSC camps as potential soft targets has heightened concerns for parents, students, teachers, religious leaders, worshippers and prospective corps members.
Security experts have long identified attacks on soft targets as a means of creating widespread fear and psychological disruption because of the large numbers of civilians who gather at such locations.
The police, however, did not identify a specific group as responsible for any planned attack beyond references to suspected ISWAP operatives and local collaborators.
The reported movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau has also drawn attention to established security corridors where terrorist, bandit and other criminal networks have operated in recent years.
The Force is urging members of the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects.
The nationwide red alert effectively places security agencies and communities on heightened watch as authorities seek to prevent attacks on vulnerable civilian locations and protect Nigerians ahead of the new academic session and the 2027 election period.