Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged residents to promptly report suspicious individuals and unusual movements in their communities to security agencies.
Adeleke made the appeal on Sunday, September 13, following a report by PUNCH on a security meeting between the Department of State Services and leaders of the Osun Muslim Community and the Christian Association of Nigeria.
At the meeting, religious leaders were reportedly briefed on intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning to mobilise to states across the South-West and unleash violence as part of an alleged strategy to discourage voters from participating in the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the report, Adeleke urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly in border communities where an influx of unfamiliar people could raise security concerns.
In a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said:
“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports on noticeable threats in our communities.
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“As we are aware of alleged plots to attack our places of worship, we must become extra vigilant. Report anything unusual without any delay.
“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.
“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,” Adeleke said.
The governor also advised residents to exercise caution over people they accommodate in their communities, while urging traditional rulers to discuss the reported security concerns within their councils.
He said, “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.
“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,” the statement concluded.