The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and security-conscious following recent successes recorded by security agencies in counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations across parts of the country.
The advisory, dated 27 August, called on citizens, state and local government authorities, communities and other stakeholders to take appropriate precautionary measures while continuing to cooperate with security agencies.
According to the advisory, the alert is linked to ongoing military and intelligence operations, threat monitoring and information-sharing efforts involving Nigerian security agencies and their local and international partners.
Security agencies record major operational successes
The National Security Adviser’s office said sustained operations across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions have resulted in significant setbacks for terrorist and criminal groups.
The operations have reportedly targeted terrorist commanders, camps, hideouts and other criminal strongholds as part of broader efforts to degrade the operational capabilities of insurgent and bandit groups.
Among the individuals referenced in the advisory was Abubakar Al-Mainok, also known as Abu Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as a commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to reports referenced in the advisory, Al-Mainok and other fighters were killed during a joint operation involving Nigerian and United States forces in Borno State.
The reported success forms part of a wider pattern of military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist networks, limiting their freedom of movement and preventing them from establishing new operational bases.
ONSA warns of possible isolated attacks
Despite the successes recorded by security agencies, ONSA cautioned that terrorist and criminal groups could attempt isolated attacks in an effort to create fear, attract public attention or demonstrate that they remain capable of carrying out operations.
The warning is particularly significant because terrorist organisations can change tactics when faced with sustained military pressure. Rather than engaging security forces directly, such groups may resort to smaller-scale attacks, ambushes, sabotage and other asymmetric tactics.
ONSA therefore encouraged Nigerians not to become complacent and urged residents to pay attention to developments within their communities.
Nigerians urged to report suspicious activities
The security advisory asked members of the public to remain alert to unusual or suspicious people, vehicles, objects and movements.
Citizens were encouraged to promptly report anything considered suspicious to the appropriate security authorities.
The advice is aimed at strengthening community-based intelligence, which remains an important component of preventing attacks and identifying threats before they escalate.
Security agencies often depend on timely information from residents because people living and working within communities are frequently in the best position to notice unusual activities or changes in local patterns.
However, ONSA also advised citizens to exercise caution when sharing security-related information and warned against circulating unverified reports.
Communities have important role in national security
The security adviser’s office also called on state and local government authorities to strengthen community vigilance and support preventive security measures.
It urged authorities to improve communication and information-sharing with security agencies so that emerging threats can be addressed quickly.
Community leaders, traditional institutions and residents can also contribute to public safety by encouraging responsible reporting and discouraging actions that could unnecessarily create panic.
At the same time, citizens are expected to avoid taking the law into their own hands or confronting suspected criminals directly. Suspicious activities should instead be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Government reassures citizens and international community
While issuing the alert, ONSA stressed that the government remains committed to protecting lives and property.
The office also reassured foreign nationals, diplomatic missions, investors and development partners that efforts were being made to maintain a safe and stable environment across the country.
According to the advisory, Nigeria will continue working with international partners through intelligence-sharing arrangements, security cooperation and coordinated preventive measures.
Such cooperation is particularly important in addressing terrorism and other transnational security threats, which frequently extend beyond national borders.
Vigilance remains essential
The latest advisory does not mean that Nigerians should panic. Rather, it underscores the importance of remaining alert while security agencies continue their operations against terrorist and criminal networks.
The reported neutralisation of key commanders and disruption of operational bases represent important gains, but security threats can evolve rapidly.
For citizens, basic precautions remain important: staying aware of their surroundings, avoiding the unnecessary spread of rumours, reporting credible security concerns and following instructions issued by relevant authorities.
The government’s continued intelligence and security cooperation with international partners, combined with responsible participation by citizens and communities, will remain critical to preventing attacks and consolidating recent gains in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
The ONSA’s message is therefore clear: security remains a collective responsibility, and continued vigilance is essential even when significant operational successes have been achieved.