Abuja, Nigeria — October 21, 2025
The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised an urgent security alert to the Nigerian Army, warning of a suspected plan by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States.
According to intelligence sources, the alert was issued after credible reports indicated that ISWAP operatives were mobilizing cells within the North-Central and South-West corridors to expand their operations beyond the North-East.
Security agencies have been placed on high alert, with the Nigerian Army, Police, and other sister agencies reportedly stepping up surveillance and joint operations in both states to avert any possible terrorist incursion.
DSS Intelligence Report
The DSS, in an internal communication shared with military authorities, stated that ISWAP operatives had infiltrated forest areas bordering Kogi and Ondo States, using them as hideouts and logistical bases for planned assaults.
A senior security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said:
“The DSS intelligence suggested that ISWAP elements are regrouping in the thick forests between Kogi and Ondo with plans to launch attacks on security posts, worship centers, and public facilities. The Army and Police have been alerted for preemptive action.”
It was further gathered that the Kabba, Owo, Akoko, and Okene axis are among the vulnerable locations identified as possible targets.
Heightened Security Measures
Following the intelligence report, military formations and police commands in both states have reportedly intensified patrols, checkpoints, and aerial reconnaissance along strategic routes.
In Kogi, soldiers attached to the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade in Lokoja were said to have begun coordinated clearance operations across forested areas linking the state to Ondo and Edo.
Similarly, the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, has deployed additional troops to flashpoints in Owo, Akoko North-West, and border communities known for their rugged terrain.
A top military officer confirmed that joint operations involving the Army, DSS, Police, and Amotekun Corps are ongoing.
“We are not taking any chances. The intelligence is being treated seriously. Our men are on the ground conducting surveillance and show-of-force operations,” the officer said.
Ondo, Kogi Governments React
The Ondo State Government through its Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, assuring that security agencies were already responding to the threat.
“We have been briefed by the DSS and the military. The government is working closely with all security agencies to ensure that the state remains safe,” she said. “Citizens should report any suspicious movements to the nearest security post.”
In Kogi, the Commissioner for Security Matters, Jerry Omodara, also confirmed heightened vigilance, saying the government was not unaware of possible infiltration attempts by criminal and extremist groups.
“Kogi has been a target in the past, but our security network has always risen to the challenge. The current alert will not be taken lightly,” Omodara said. “We have activated local intelligence networks to assist in monitoring suspicious activities.”
Expanding ISWAP Threat
Security analysts have repeatedly warned that ISWAP — a splinter faction of Boko Haram — has been expanding its operations into the North-Central and South-West regions, exploiting porous borders, forest belts, and ungoverned spaces.
According to a recent intelligence report by security think tank Beacon Consulting, the group has sought to establish alliances with bandit and kidnapping networks to extend its reach and secure financing through ransom and illegal mining.
Dr. Kabiru Adamu, a security and counterterrorism expert, said the DSS alert should be treated with utmost seriousness.
“ISWAP has adapted its tactics, increasingly blending with local criminal elements and exploiting forest regions as safe havens. The Ondo-Kogi axis is particularly strategic for them because it connects the North to the South-West,” he explained.
Previous Attacks Raise Concern
The latest alert comes months after the June 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which left over 40 worshippers dead. The Federal Government later linked the attack to ISWAP operatives.
Similarly, several bandit-style attacks and kidnappings in Kabba and Okene areas of Kogi have previously been attributed to extremist groups with ISWAP ties.
The DSS alert, therefore, signals renewed fears that the group may be seeking to reassert its presence in the region.
Security Agencies Urged to Collaborate
Civil society organizations and security observers have called for enhanced intelligence-sharing and community collaboration to forestall possible attacks.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) urged security agencies to act swiftly and coordinate rather than operate in isolation.
“This is not the time for inter-agency rivalry,” said CDD’s Senior Research Fellow, Shola Omotola. “The DSS has provided the warning — now it is up to the Army, Police, and local security networks to respond collectively.”
Citizens Advised to Stay Vigilant
Security agencies have urged residents of both states to remain vigilant and proactive, avoiding large gatherings in vulnerable areas, especially during night hours.
A joint advisory from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Amotekun Corps in Ondo urged communities to immediately report unfamiliar faces or suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.
“Citizens’ cooperation is critical to preventing any breach,” said SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, Police Public Relations Officer for Ondo State. “We are working hand-in-hand with the DSS and the military to secure all communities.”
Federal Response
Meanwhile, a senior official at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed that the alert had reached the highest levels of government, and that President Bola Tinubu had been briefed.
“The President has been informed and has directed the security chiefs to take all necessary measures to prevent any attack. The situation is under constant monitoring,” the official said.
Analysts Urge Caution but Reassurance
Security analysts have advised against public panic, noting that alerts like these are part of proactive national security measures.
Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a security consultant, said:
“It’s better that intelligence agencies raise early warnings than to wait for attacks to happen. This shows our intelligence community is active. However, authorities must act decisively to prevent ISWAP from gaining a foothold in the South-West.”
Conclusion
As of press time, security operations were ongoing across the Ondo-Kogi border regions, with multiple checkpoints and aerial surveillance visible in several forested zones.
Residents have been urged to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel, and promptly report any suspicious activity.
The DSS, Nigerian Army, and Police continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that Nigeria does not witness another wave of terrorist violence in the country’s heartland.
