The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued a stark security warning over intelligence indicating plans by terrorists and bandit groups to attack tertiary institutions across the state, raising fears of possible abductions of students, lecturers, staff as well as their family members.

The warning, contained in a letter dated July 18, 2026, addressed to the Sokoto State Government and signed on behalf of the DSS Director, Sokoto State Command, B. Abdulaziz, said intelligence available to the Service pointed to a dangerous tactical shift by criminal elements from primary and secondary schools to universities and other tertiary institutions.

The Service further warned that any successful attack on tertiary institutions could inflict serious damage on Nigeria’s image, particularly before the international community, while deepening the climate of insecurity already affecting educational activities in parts of the country.

The DSS therefore called for an immediate upgrade of security architecture around tertiary institutions across Sokoto state, stressing the need for proactive measures rather than waiting for criminal elements to strike before responding.

The Command further disclosed that it had already alerted relevant security and response agencies to the emerging threat and urged them to deploy appropriate countermeasures capable of preventing the planned attacks and protecting students, staff and critical educational infrastructure.

The secret police also called on the Sokoto state government to treat the warning with the seriousness it deserves and take urgent, decisive and coordinated action to strengthen security around universities and other tertiary institutions across the state.

The latest alert comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria, where terrorists and bandit groups have continued to exploit vulnerable communities and institutions, particularly in areas where security coverage remains inadequate.

The warning has consequently placed tertiary institutions across Sokoto state on heightened security consciousness, with stakeholders expected to strengthen surveillance, access control, intelligence gathering and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent the state’s educational institutions from becoming the next theatre of terrorist and bandit operations.

…UK warns citizens against travel to 11 Nigerian states

In a related development, the United Kingdom has advised its citizens against all travels to parts of 11 Nigerian states, while warning against all but essential travel to parts of 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The advisory was contained in the latest Nigeria travel advice published Thursday by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The advisory, updated August 20, 2026, showed that the FCDO advised against travelling to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Gombe states in the North-East.

It also warned against all travel to Katsina and Zamfara states in the North-West.

In the South-East and South-South, the advisory warned against all travel to riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The FCDO defined the affected areas as “the river and swamp locations accessible by boat, but not by road.”

The UK government also advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi State in the North-East.

In the North-West, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto states were placed under the same advisory.

It also  listed Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Kwara and Benue states in the North-Central region as areas where it advised against all but essential travel.

The advisory also covered the Federal Capital Territory, including Abuja, as well as the South-East and South-South,   and cautioned  against all but essential travel to Abia, Anambra and Imo states, as well as non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers.

According to the advisory, “No travel can be guaranteed safe” urging those planning trips to Nigeria to read its travel advice before travelling.

The UK government also advised travellers to “research your destinations” and “get appropriate travel insurance” if they chose to travel.

It warned that “Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”

The advisory also spoke to information on IVF, fertility treatment scams and overseas adoption, according to the FCDO.

The travel advice covers entry requirements, safety and security, regional risks, health and how to get help while in Nigeria.

The FCDO said insurance should cover a traveller’s itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.