The Nigeria Police Force has raised a nationwide security alert over intelligence indicating that terrorist groups may be mobilising to launch coordinated attacks on schools, places of worship, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.

The alert was contained in a police wireless message dated September 13, 2026, issued by the Department of Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The communication, referenced as CB: 0900/FDPS/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL38/68, was marked “Security General” and classified as “Treat as Very Important.”

It was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police overseeing Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police across the states, Mobile Police formations, counter-terrorism units and other specialised commands.

According to the message, intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” targeting places of worship, educational institutions, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable sites.

The police identified the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions, as well as parts of the South-West, as areas requiring particular vigilance.

The Force also reported the movement of armed individuals from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

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

The police expressed particular concern about schools, warning that terrorists could exploit the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session and the resulting concentration of students and staff to inflict mass casualties.

The intelligence assessment also raised concerns that terrorist attacks could be planned ahead of the 2027 general elections in an attempt to create fear, disrupt communities and cause instability.

The Department of Operations reportedly assessed the situation as having potentially moved from “intent to preparatory activity,” prompting the directive for immediate preventive measures.

Consequently, police formations across the country were directed to strengthen security around schools, places of worship, NYSC camps and other identified vulnerable locations.

Commanders were ordered to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance, patrols, stop-and-search operations, access control and rapid-response arrangements.

Commissioners of Police were also directed to reinforce security along state borders, entry and exit routes and other strategic corridors to prevent the movement of armed groups.

The Force further directed police commands to collaborate with other security and intelligence agencies, religious leaders, school authorities and NYSC management to strengthen information sharing and establish effective early-warning systems.

The police said identified security weaknesses should be addressed without delay.

“All personnel should maintain heightened vigilance and report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or objects through established channels,” the directive stated.

Personnel were also instructed to immediately report credible threats or security incidents to the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of Operations.