Tension Grips Ondo and Kogi as DSS Warns of Imminent ISWAP Attack

Fear has once again gripped residents of Ondo and Kogi States following an alarming intelligence report from the Department of State Services (DSS), which has warned of imminent coordinated attacks by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). The confidential memo, addressed to the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure and signed by H. I. Kana on behalf of the State Director of Security, revealed that the terrorist group has begun active surveillance and planning to hit several communities within the two states.

The DSS, in the memo titled “Imminent Attacks in Ondo State by Members of ISWAP,” disclosed that intelligence gathered indicated the group’s plan to launch simultaneous assaults on soft targets. The identified locations include Eriti-Akoko and Oyin-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town, which has previously suffered a devastating terrorist incident. The warning, which has since caused panic among residents, urged military formations and other security agencies to heighten surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and patrol activities in vulnerable communities to prevent another tragedy.

According to the DSS, the threat is credible and demands urgent preventive measures. The agency noted that ISWAP operatives had already begun monitoring security layouts and movement patterns in certain areas, with the intent to exploit weak points. “Intelligence confirmed plans by members of ISWAP to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon,” the memo stated, emphasizing that the terrorist elements have been actively identifying potential targets. The DSS stressed that security forces and residents alike must be vigilant and proactive, warning that complacency could lead to disastrous consequences.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed that the security alert was being taken seriously. He revealed that both the police and other security agencies had already begun implementing preventive strategies to avert any possible assault. “That’s partly why we were in Akoko on Sunday,” Ayanlade said, referring to a joint security operation recently carried out in the area. “Everyone is taking steps to ensure no event takes us unaware. We are not leaving anything to chance.”

The renewed warning has stirred fresh memories of the horrific June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, which left at least 41 worshippers dead and several others injured. The chilling massacre, which sent shockwaves across Nigeria, was later attributed to ISWAP operatives who were arrested after months of intensive manhunts by the DSS and the Nigerian Army. Those suspects are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The incident remains one of the deadliest terror attacks in the history of Ondo State, and many residents have yet to fully recover from its psychological and emotional impact.

For many citizens of Owo and surrounding communities, the DSS alert feels like a haunting replay of that dark day. Local residents have reportedly begun adopting extra security precautions, with many avoiding night movements and gatherings. Religious leaders have also been urged to remain watchful, especially as intelligence reports indicate that terrorists often target worship centers, marketplaces, and public facilities where casualties can be maximized. Security experts have described the warning as a “critical red flag” that should not be ignored, citing Nigeria’s long history of reacting to, rather than preventing, security threats.

A retired military intelligence officer who spoke anonymously expressed concern about the porous nature of Nigeria’s internal security coordination. “When the DSS issues this kind of alert, it is based on concrete intelligence,” he said. “What usually follows, however, is a breakdown in communication among agencies, and that gives the terrorists an advantage. If this warning is taken seriously and the Army, Police, and Amotekun Corps work together effectively, we can prevent what happened in 2022 from repeating itself.”

In both Ondo and Kogi, security presence has reportedly increased in recent days, with checkpoints being re-established along major roads and suspected entry routes. Residents of Eriti-Akoko and Oyin-Akoko have noticed more patrols and surveillance activities by combined security forces. In Owo, local hunters and vigilante groups have also been mobilized to support the police and military in monitoring forest corridors believed to serve as hideouts for criminal elements. Many have welcomed this heightened vigilance but insist that the government must sustain it beyond temporary panic measures.

The fear of ISWAP expansion into southwestern Nigeria has been a growing concern among security analysts. Traditionally active in the North-East, the group has in recent years attempted to establish cells in other regions through kidnappings, armed robberies, and isolated bombings. Their operational pattern often involves infiltration of rural communities, intelligence gathering through local informants, and sudden nighttime attacks. Ondo and Kogi, both located within strategic transit corridors linking the north and south, present ideal targets for such operations, especially due to their extensive forests and relatively limited security infrastructure.

In the wake of the alert, civil society organizations have called on the federal government to adopt a community-based security approach, emphasizing the importance of public participation. “Security is not the job of the DSS or the police alone,” said activist and public affairs analyst, Mrs. Bisi Adebajo. “Communities must be empowered to report suspicious movements, and local vigilantes should be properly trained and equipped. We can’t afford another bloodbath like Owo’s.”

Residents have also urged the government to strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms across agencies, noting that previous attacks could have been prevented if information was acted upon swiftly. In the 2022 Owo case, reports later surfaced that early warnings were issued but not promptly escalated. This time, citizens hope the renewed alert will prompt immediate, coordinated action from both the state and federal levels.

Meanwhile, security formations across the South-West are reportedly on high alert. Military sources in Akure have hinted at intensified reconnaissance missions and air surveillance around forest belts linking Ondo to Kogi and Edo States. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has also deployed personnel to critical infrastructure, including schools, churches, and communication facilities. Amotekun operatives are said to be collaborating closely with community leaders to identify strange faces and monitor new settlements.

As tension mounts, the Ondo State government has assured residents that it is working closely with federal security agencies to ensure peace and stability. In a statement from the governor’s office, citizens were urged to stay calm but remain vigilant. “We will not allow the enemies of peace to succeed in destabilizing our communities,” the statement read. “Every intelligence report is being treated with utmost seriousness, and the safety of our people remains our top priority.”

Despite these assurances, the atmosphere remains uneasy. Many families in the affected areas are reinforcing their homes, while schools and churches are reviewing safety procedures. Some residents have begun relocating elderly relatives and children to safer towns until the situation stabilizes. For those who lived through the Owo tragedy, the latest warning has reopened old wounds, reminding them that terrorism remains a persistent threat, even in regions once considered safe.

As Nigeria continues to battle insecurity on multiple fronts, the DSS warning stands as another grim reminder of the need for vigilance, coordination, and accountability in the country’s security architecture. For the people of Ondo and Kogi, the hope now is that this alarm will be met with action—and not with another headline of sorrow.