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DSS Warns of Planned ISWAP Attacks in Ondo, Kogi States
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned that members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, or ISWAP, are planning coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi states.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The intelligence agency disclosed this in an internal security memo dated Oct. 20, 2025, which was shared with military commanders and security agencies. According to the document, the DSS obtained credible information showing that ISWAP operatives have begun surveillance of “soft targets” in the two states.
The memo, signed by H. I. Kana, Director of Security for the Ondo State Command, was addressed to the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure. It identified several communities in Ondo State — including Eriti-Akoko, Oyin-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area, and Owo town in Owo Local Government Area — as possible targets.
Although the memo did not name specific locations in Kogi State, it warned that similar threats exist there and urged security agencies to remain on high alert.
“The group has commenced surveillance on potential soft targets,” the DSS memo stated. “There is need to scale up the level of security alertness in the various communities to forestall any untoward situation.”
The DSS urged the army, police, and other security formations to strengthen patrols, increase intelligence gathering, and maintain visible security presence in the affected areas.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police Adebowale Lawal has reportedly met with senior officers and community leaders in response to the warning. The meeting included traditional rulers, transport union members, farmers, vigilante groups, and local chiefs. Participants pledged to support security agencies and share information to prevent any attack.
In Kogi State, security operatives have also been placed on standby. Authorities said surveillance has been intensified around major roads, markets, and worship centers.
ISWAP, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, has carried out numerous attacks in northern Nigeria, targeting both civilians and security forces. Analysts say the group’s recent focus on southwestern and north-central states shows a shift in its operations.
This latest alert has revived fears of another incident like the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where more than 40 worshippers were killed by gunmen linked to ISWAP. That attack shocked the country and raised concerns about the group’s growing reach.
Security analysts have warned that ISWAP’s movement into new regions could pose a wider threat to national security. They say Nigeria’s security agencies must increase coordination and intelligence sharing to prevent attacks before they occur.
“The DSS warning should not be taken lightly,” said a Lagos-based security analyst, who asked not to be named for safety reasons. “Terror groups are exploiting security gaps and moving into less-defended areas. The government must act quickly to stop them.”
Residents in the affected communities have been urged to stay vigilant and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency. Community vigilante groups have also been advised to strengthen night patrols and collaborate closely with the police.
The federal government has not yet issued an official statement on the alert, but sources in Abuja say the National Security Adviser’s office is coordinating efforts to verify the intelligence and ensure that preventive measures are in place.
The DSS said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.
The alert underscores growing concerns about the spread of extremist activity beyond Nigeria’s northeastern region, where Boko Haram and ISWAP originally operated. With the latest intelligence, authorities fear that the insurgency could expand into previously peaceful areas if swift action is not taken.
For now, security forces in Ondo and Kogi states are on high alert as the country braces for any potential threat.
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared its intention to present a presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This comes despite Wike’s open endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election, as well as his recent comments suggesting the party may struggle to fund a nationwide presidential campaign.
However, speaking in an interview, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, dismissed claims that the party would not field a candidate, insisting that preparations are ongoing.
He said the party’s National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for Monday will address key issues such as zoning arrangements and nomination fees.
According to him, “We are going to have a presidential candidate. The NEC will decide the zoning formula. Our goal is to win the election and take power from the APC.”
Responding to questions about Wike’s support for President Tinubu, he argued that the minister was speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the PDP.
He stressed that there is a clear separation between Wike’s role as a federal appointee and his status within the party, adding that the PDP’s decisions rest with its leadership structures.
The Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, has revealed that Ibadan elders have stepped into the ongoing tension between Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The development follows rising political controversy in the state after former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose alleged that Makinde was plotting against the Olubadan, a claim denied by both the state government and the palace.
Amid the growing tension, some lawmakers also distanced themselves from alleged impeachment discussions involving the governor, insisting they were not part of any destabilising plot.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Oba Ajibola said elders in the city had intervened to calm the situation and urged all sides to avoid actions that could disrupt peace in the state.
He stressed that the Olubadan remains a highly respected traditional ruler and should not be drawn into political disputes.
Ajibola advised Oba Ladoja to remain neutral and act as a father figure to all politicians, regardless of party affiliation, warning that the dignity of the throne must be protected at all times.
The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four police officers and a developer, Abiodun Ariori, who were accused in connection with the killing of six traders in the Owode Onirin area of Kosofe, Lagos State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The decision followed legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which concluded that the officers acted in self-defence during a mob attack.
In the advice signed by DPP Babajide Martins, the office stated that investigators failed to provide sufficient evidence, including autopsy and ballistic reports, to support criminal charges such as manslaughter.
It further stated that available facts did not clearly link the suspects to the deaths, while noting that the officers were acting to protect themselves during the chaos. The DPP also said the developer was not physically present at the scene when the incident occurred.
The incident reportedly happened during the enforcement of a disputed court order over a land area occupied by traders, which later turned violent and led to the deaths.
However, the Nigeria Police Force disagreed with the legal advice, insisting that autopsy and ballistic findings were strong enough to prosecute the suspects.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, who represents the victims’ families, said the case is not over, adding that additional evidence would be submitted to the DPP while also pursuing compensation through a civil suit.
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