Police Warn Of Terrorist Surveillance Around Schools, Worship Centres

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a nationwide security alert over intelligence indicating that terrorists and their informants are conducting surveillance around schools, NYSC orientation camps, places of worship and other vulnerable locations ahead of possible coordinated attacks.

The warning comes as schools prepare for the 2026/2027 academic session, with police intelligence indicating increased mobilisation of terrorist elements and possible attacks designed to coincide with the resumption of academic activities.

According to the security alert circulated to police formations across the country, suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and local collaborators have been carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

The police also reported the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State, raising concerns that the movements could be connected to wider preparations by terrorist groups.

Following the intelligence, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police and commanders of specialised formations were directed to increase security around schools, worship centres, NYSC camps and other locations considered vulnerable.

Police formations have also been ordered to strengthen intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements. Security has equally been tightened around state borders, entry and exit routes and other approaches that could be used by armed groups.

The development has placed schools at the centre of the latest security concern, particularly because previous terrorist attacks and abductions have shown that educational institutions can become targets. The police therefore urged personnel and members of the public to report suspicious people, vehicles, movements and objects through established channels.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it had also expanded its intelligence network around schools nationwide. The corps disclosed that intelligence-driven operations by its federal and tactical teams had helped thwart more than 100 attempted attacks on schools.

NSCDC spokesman Babafemi Afolabi said state commandants had been briefed and officers deployed to strengthen security as schools reopen. He also urged parents and communities to cooperate with security agencies rather than allowing fear to prevent children from returning to school.

The NSCDC said it was working with other security agencies, community leaders and private security personnel to improve intelligence gathering around schools and other vulnerable locations. The emphasis is on detecting suspicious activity early enough for security forces to respond before an attack occurs.

Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ali Amodu described the alert as part of the responsibility of security agencies to gather intelligence and warn citizens about potential threats. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report unusual movements, particularly around schools and worship centres.

Former DSS Director Mike Ejiofor also called for increased vigilance, while security experts urged authorities to make greater use of technology to monitor activities around schools and identify suspicious movements before they develop into attacks.

The latest warning comes against the background of continuing security challenges across several parts of Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. With the new academic session beginning, authorities are now under pressure to ensure that schools remain safe while preventing terrorists and their collaborators from gaining access to potential targets.

For now, security agencies are maintaining heightened surveillance across the country, particularly around schools, NYSC orientation camps, worship centres and other vulnerable public locations, as authorities work to prevent the reported threats from turning into attacks.

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