Police, military alert over planned attacks on schools, NYSC camps

ABUJA — The Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies have heightened security nationwide following intelligence indicating plans by suspected terrorists and other non-state actors to attack schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and recreation centres during the ember months.

The intelligence prompted the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters to circulate a security alert to police formations, zonal and state commands, as well as tactical units, including the Police Counter-Terrorism Units, Bomb Disposal Unit and Police Mobile Force.

According to the alert, there was an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.

The alert, which came ahead of the resumption of schools for the 2026/2027 academic session, warned that the planned attacks could coincide with the reopening of academic institutions.

Vanguard gathered that the intelligence had also been shared with sister security agencies as part of ongoing joint operations.

The intelligence reportedly revealed the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna to Plateau State.

It further indicated that suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operatives and local collaborators were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets.

Consequently, police formations and commands were directed to heighten security around schools, places of worship, NYSC camps and other vulnerable locations.

The police directed personnel to maintain heightened vigilance and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels.

The directive also called for intelligence-led surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements around identified vulnerable locations.

Commissioners of Police were further directed to tighten security at state borders, entry and exit routes and other critical approaches to prevent the infiltration and movement of armed elements.

Military authorities, who confirmed awareness of the intelligence, said they were monitoring the situation, adding that troops had been placed on alert for possible interdiction deployments.