Crime
Terror Alert: Police Brace for Imminent Attacks in Osun, Kwara, Kogi
Security agencies across Osun, Kwara, and Kogi states have been placed on red alert following an intelligence report warning of potential terrorist attacks in the region within the next 72 hours.
The alert, issued by the Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) for Operations in Osogbo, Osun State, directs all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state to be fully prepared for any potential threat, especially those located near the Kwara and Kogi state borders.
The confidential report, obtained by Abuja City Journal, reveals that terrorist groups are assembling with the intention of launching coordinated attacks from Omu-Aran, Kwara State, to the Yagba West axis of Western Kogi State. The alert comes amid growing concerns about escalating insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in regions already grappling with banditry and kidnappings.
According to the report, security forces have been instructed to take immediate steps to prevent any form of abduction or terror-related activity in their areas of responsibility (AOR). The directive emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance, particularly in boundary communities that may be vulnerable to attacks due to their proximity to Kwara and Kogi states.
“Terrorists are assembling to launch an attack in the next 72 hours on the Omu-Aran, Kwara State to Yagba West axis of Western Kogi State. All Area Commanders/DPOs in Osun State are to be at red alert, especially those sharing boundaries with Kwara and Kogi states,” the report reads.
The COMPOL’s directive further stressed the importance of maintaining constant patrols to deter any potential security breaches, particularly in areas that have experienced previous incidents of violence or kidnapping. “You all are further directed to put your patrol teams at alert and ensure no kidnapping takes place in your respective AOR,” the report added.
This development comes amid heightened concerns over the increasing activities of armed groups in Nigeria’s central and northern regions. Over the past year, the escalation of violence in these states has raised alarms about the growing capabilities of these groups to carry out large-scale attacks on civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
Kwara and Kogi states, which share significant boundaries with Osun, have been hotspots for criminal activities, including armed robbery, banditry, and kidnappings. The strategic location of these states makes them particularly vulnerable to infiltration by terrorists and other armed groups, who often exploit the challenging terrain and porous borders to evade law enforcement.
In response to the intelligence report, police formations across the affected states are expected to intensify security measures. Patrol teams are likely to increase their presence on highways and key routes, particularly those that connect Osun with Kwara and Kogi. These routes are often targeted by criminal elements for kidnappings and armed robbery, especially in remote areas where security presence may be minimal.
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