ISWAP Threat: South-West, North-Central States on High Alert
Security agencies in Nigeria’s South-West and North-Central regions have been placed on high alert following intelligence reports suggesting possible infiltration and coordinated attacks by members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Multiple security sources confirmed that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army had issued internal security advisories to state commands in Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun, urging them to tighten surveillance and increase patrols around strategic installations, worship centres, and crowded areas.
According to security briefings obtained from top sources, the warnings followed intercepted communications indicating that ISWAP cells were attempting to extend operations beyond their traditional strongholds in the North-East to Nigeria’s central and coastal zones.
Security on Alert Across Regions
A senior DSS official in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that joint security task forces had been mobilised to monitor suspected sleeper cells and foreign collaborators.
“There is credible intelligence that ISWAP and allied extremist elements are exploring new territories to establish logistical bases,” the source said. “The public should remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.”
In Lagos, operatives have intensified patrols around airports, seaports, bridges, and major highways, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed additional personnel to critical infrastructure, including power plants and telecommunication hubs.
The Kwara State Police Command also confirmed enhanced security presence across border communities linking Kogi and Niger States, both of which share boundaries with volatile areas affected by insurgency and banditry.
Governors Briefed, Security Councils Convene
Governors from affected states have reportedly received classified security updates and convened emergency security council meetings with military and paramilitary chiefs to assess the situation.
In Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ordered 24-hour patrols around key highways, especially the Akure-Owo axis, which has experienced multiple attacks by armed groups in the past.
In Niger and Kogi States, security formations have been reinforced along the Lokoja–Abuja Expressway, Kontagora, and other flashpoints notorious for abductions and extremist movement.
“We are not taking chances. Every security agency in the region is on red alert,” a top military commander in Minna said. “Coordination with the DSS and air surveillance units has been increased to prevent any infiltration.”
ISWAP’s Expanding Network Raises Concern
Analysts say the alert underscores fears that ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram, may be regrouping in lesser-secured regions to escape ongoing military pressure in the North-East.
Dr. Kabiru Sulaiman, a counterterrorism researcher at Ahmadu Bello University, explained that the insurgent group’s recent activities suggest a shift in operational strategy aimed at targeting economic centres and soft civilian targets.
“Their current objective is not just territory but visibility and chaos — hitting new locations to show they remain potent,” he said.
In recent months, several arms interceptions, arrests of suspected couriers, and raids on illegal camps in Niger, Kogi, and parts of Kwara have raised suspicion of ISWAP-linked movements along forest corridors connecting the North-East to central Nigeria.
Public Advised to Stay Vigilant
The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, in a public statement on Monday, reassured citizens that the situation is under control but urged Nigerians to maintain situational awareness and cooperate with security agencies.
“We are aware of the threats and are working closely with other security agencies to ensure the safety of all Nigerians. The public is advised to avoid spreading panic and to report any suspicious activity promptly,” said ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer.
Civil society groups and religious leaders in Lagos and Kwara have also called for calm, urging residents not to succumb to fear but to support authorities through vigilance and information sharing.
Background: ISWAP’s Recent Activity
ISWAP, which emerged from a split in Boko Haram in 2016, has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks in Nigeria’s North-East and border communities in Niger and Chad.
While the Nigerian military has continued to record successes in degrading the group’s capabilities, intelligence reports suggest that the extremists have adapted by dispersing cells across multiple states and relying on local collaborators for logistics and funding.
Security experts warn that the combination of porous borders, forested terrain, and limited rural policing poses a challenge to containing their expansion.
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