Security expert Chisom Ogbonna on Tuesday urged Nigerians to take a police terror alert about possible coordinated attacks seriously, while warning against creating unnecessary panic.
The Nigeria Police Force circulated a security alert to its formations nationwide, warning of planned attacks that could coincide with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session. According to the police communication, intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.
“The intelligence report issued by the police is to be taken seriously by the citizens. However, it is proof that our intelligence system is working, but we should be careful enough not to let it create a panic,” Ogbonna said.
Police terror alert: what the intelligence says
Ogbonna said the alert should prompt preventive action across the security architecture rather than be treated as a routine bulletin. “The fact that the intelligence report has highlighted that there are planned attacks on churches, schools, and NYSC centres. These are vulnerable areas where we have a very large number of people gathering, and we should take it seriously,” he said.
He urged that the information be shared across relevant intelligence and security bodies and translated into concrete measures. “Security agencies are supposed to, must take this also so that the report does not only end with the police; it should be reported also across other intelligence agencies and other security agencies. It should not just be seen as a mere intelligence report; it should be acted on.”
Ogbonna also noted the reported movement of arms from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau, describing it as significant and underscoring that criminal groups do not operate within administrative boundaries.
