By, Omowumi Hannah

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday urged residents to report suspicious movements or individuals in their areas or neighbourhoods to security agencies without delay.

The governor’s remarks followed an exclusive report by The Punch Online on a meeting the Department of State Services held with the leadership of the Osun Muslim Community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state.

At the meeting, the leaders of the two religious groups were informed of intelligence pointing to a plan by terrorists to mobilise to states in the South-West and cause mayhem as part of a plot to cause voter apathy in the 2027 elections.

Adeleke, while reacting to the report in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, called on members of the public to alert security agencies if they noticed an influx of strange faces, especially across border communities.

“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports on noticeable threats in our communities. As we are aware of alleged plots to attack our places of worship, we must become extra vigilant. Report anything unusual without any delay.

“I commend the Department of State Service (DSS) for taking proactive measures to counter the threats. I charge other security agencies to review the situation and develop an action plan to strengthen the security of lives and properties.

“I will soon convene the State Security Council meeting to assess the situation and the workability of our response plans. As residents of this state, we must collaborate with the security agencies through information sharing,” Adeleke said.

He also charged residents to be wary of people they host in communities across the state, calling on “Our royal fathers to also host their traditional council meetings on this development. We must nip in the bud the evil plans of enemies of public peace.

“Our administration is committed to post-election peace-building, and we must tighten state security to foil any attempt by terrorists and bandits to disrupt public peace,” Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying in the statement.