Morning recap: Terrorists plot attacks on Osun worship centres, Lagos crackdown raises child protection concerns, other top stories

File photo: Map of Osun State.

The Department of State Services has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship, markets and other public gathering centres as part of efforts to frustrate the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised over the arrest and detention of vulnerable children during Lagos’ street crackdown, with teenagers reportedly being packed into overcrowded “Black Maria” vans.

Elsewhere, a father, Samuel Jonah, has spoken about the deaths of his three children, whose lifeless bodies were found on his farm inside the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, while the Ogun State Police Command recovered a stolen Toyota Camry less than eight hours after it was reported missing.

The Nigerian Army has also commenced an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse involving a serving officer and a 13-year-old girl.

Below are details of these and other trending stories at this time:

Terrorists plot attacks on Osun worship centres, markets

The Department of State Services has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres. The planned attacks are reportedly aimed at creating fear and disrupting preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Read here: https://punchng.com/terrorists-plot-attacks-on-osun-worship-centres-markets/

Lagos crackdown: Vulnerable children arrested, hauled into ‘Black Maria’

Lagos’ street crackdown has seen teenagers arrested by law-enforcement and environmental agencies and packed into overcrowded “Black Maria” vans. The development has raised concerns over the safety, dignity, due process and child-protection safeguards surrounding the treatment of vulnerable children.

• Police recover stolen Toyota Camry in Ogun, arrest one suspect
• Army probes officer over alleged sexual abuse of 13-year-old
• Chaos in the Ring: Appah, Carter Efe to headline Independence Day clash

Read here: https://punchng.com/lagos-crackdown-vulnerable-children-arrested-hauled-into-black-maria/

My three children died mysteriously inside army barracks — Father

Samuel Jonah, a 38-year-old native of Ankpa Local Government Area of Benue State, has spoken about the deaths of his three children. Their lifeless bodies were found on his farm inside the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, Ondo State, on September 5, 2026.

Read here: https://punchng.com/my-three-children-died-mysteriously-inside-army-barracks-father/

Police recover stolen Toyota Camry in Ogun, arrest one suspect

The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a stolen 2016 Toyota Camry from a hotel in Ifo and arrested one suspect, less than eight hours after the vehicle was reported stolen. The command said the vehicle, belonging to an Indian national based at the Ilupeju Industrial Estate in Lagos, was allegedly stolen by the owner’s driver.

Read here: https://punchng.com/police-recover-stolen-toyota-camry-in-ogun-arrest-one-suspect/

Army probes officer over alleged sexual abuse of 13-year-old

The Nigerian Army has commenced an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse involving a serving officer, Captain Etim Essien, attached to the Headquarters 3 Division, Jos, Plateau State. The Army said it was aware of reports circulating online and had begun steps to establish the facts surrounding the allegation.

Read here: https://punchng.com/army-probes-officer-over-alleged-sexual-abuse-of-13-year-old/