The Department of State Services (DSS), Sokoto State Command, has warned of a possible attack on tertiary institutions across the state by terrorist and bandit groups.
The warning was contained in a letter dated July 18, 2026, addressed to the Sokoto State Governor and signed on behalf of the State Director of Security, B. Abdulaziz.
Titled “Planned Attack on Tertiary Institutions by Terrorist and Bandit Gangs,” the letter said intelligence available to the command indicated a tactical shift in the focus of criminal elements.
According to the DSS, the groups have shifted attention from vulnerable primary and secondary schools to universities and other tertiary institutions, where students, staff and their families could be targeted for kidnapping.
The Service said the change in focus was aimed at crippling the education sector, undermining public confidence in the government’s counter-insurgency efforts and damaging Nigeria’s image before the international community.
The Service warned that there is need to upgrade security measures in tertiary institutions across the state.
The DSS said it had alerted relevant security and action agencies on the need to deploy countermeasures to contain the threat.
The command urged the state government to take necessary action in response to the security alert.
The warning comes amid persistent security concerns in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly over attacks and kidnappings targeting educational institutions and rural communities.
