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The Department of State Services has alerted Muslim and Christian leaders in Osun State to an alleged plan by terrorists to attack places of worship and other public gathering centres as part of efforts to frustrate the 2027 general elections, Sunday PUNCH has gathered.

It was learnt that the DSS held separate meetings with the Muslim community and the Christian Association of Nigeria in Osogbo on Wednesday, where the religious leaders were advised to take preventive measures against possible attacks.

The development followed an intelligence report that terrorists were plotting to spread insecurity to the southern part of the country, especially the South-West, and create tension in the build-up to the presidential election.

Confirming the meeting with the DSS, the President of the Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the security report was true, adding that the religious bodies had been advised on preventive measures.

According to Olawuyi, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on Friday, the DSS had outlined various proactive steps.

He said, “The meeting is true; it was held on Wednesday in Osogbo. We need to be careful and vigilant. These people (terrorists) have been trying to infiltrate Osun for quite some time.

“We had, some time ago, sent back some herders, numbering about 200, who flooded Osun from the Ikirun axis. There were also some individuals who came into the state on motorcycles. They didn’t understand our language and we had to send them back. The DSS is doing a very good job in terms of intelligence and alerting the people.”

Details of the DSS meeting with the Muslim leaders were also contained in an audio message sent to imams across the state by Olawuyi, which was obtained by Sunday PUNCH.

In the audio message, the OSMC president said, “The DSS came from Abuja to Osun to warn us about a plot by some politicians and terrorists to frustrate the 2027 election, and for every one of us to be careful.

“The officers said they had intelligence that the terrorists would mobilise to the southern part of the country and the South-West, especially to cause mayhem so that the election may not hold or cause apathy.

“They advised that all religious centres should be watchful. They told us not to allow anybody with a car to park close to the people or congregation during Jumat prayer or gathering. They warned us against allowing anybody to sleep in the mosque. They also told us to be careful of compromised commercial motorcycles and herders. They told us to have night guards at every mosque.”

Similarly, the Osun CAN Chairman, Pastor John Adeleke, confirmed the meeting, saying the DSS asked them to inform churches and school owners to be security-conscious.

An extract from a report of the meeting, circulated across some Christian WhatsApp groups in the state, read in part, “The DSS Osun State Command called for a meeting with the OSCAN Chairman, Rev. Dr John Adeleke, on the alertness of security in Osun State.

“They made it known, based on their intelligence and security expertise, that the attackers or the terrorists have mapped Osun State, and that between now and the period of the coming presidential election, they will attack some states. They planned to go through Kaduna, Jos and come down to Osun State.

“Their targets are places of gathering, such as churches, mosques, markets, schools, clubs or viewing centres, etc., and we are asked to put tight security in place in our churches.”

The report, titled, ‘The Report of the Meeting Held with the Department of State Security Osun State Command Today, Wednesday, 9th September, 2026’, was signed by the State Assistant Secretary, Osun CAN, Ajayi J.K.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Osun CAN chairman said the DSS told the Christian leaders not to allow unknown people to park vehicles near church premises and advised against night programmes.

He added that they were told to educate CAN members on the need for them to be vigilant.

The CAN chairman also said the church leaders were advised to ask relevant questions before allowing a visitor into their premises, adding that the DSS also told them to inform school owners and other places that usually have large gatherings to be security-conscious.

“After sharing with us that the churches will need to be careful and that we should encourage our churches also to be on alert, we sent the message to all our blocs and different platforms, where our people may be informed.

“For example, they told us we should not allow a strange vehicle to park near churches because there may be explosives inside the car. They also told our leaders throughout the state that they should be careful, and any visitor that comes around should be questioned before we allow him or her into the premises of the church.

“They also said we should be careful of night programmes, so that the people will not take advantage of the darkness to perpetrate their evil plans. The message is that our people should be security-conscious. If they see anything, they should say it. They also told us to inform school owners to be security-conscious. The government is aware too. God is our divine protector, but in areas where we need to be careful, we want to be,” Adeleke added.

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Nigerian passport holders can travel to a number of countries by applying for a visa electronically instead of visiting an embassy or submitting a traditional paper visa application.

An eVisa is generally an electronic travel document that is applied for online before travelling. However, requirements, processing times, fees and permitted length of stay vary from one country to another.

According to current passport and visa data, Nigerians have access to dozens of destinations offering eVisa or online visa facilities. Passport Index currently lists countries including Djibouti, Ecuador and El Salvador among destinations offering eVisa access to Nigerian passport holders.

Below are some destinations Nigerians can consider when looking for an online visa route.

1. South Africa

South Africa operates an online eVisa system through its Department of Home Affairs.

Applicants can create a profile, complete the application online, upload supporting documents and make payment electronically.

The South African government says the eVisa is an electronic document linked to the traveller’s passport and serves as an alternative to obtaining a traditional visa through an embassy or consulate.

Applicants using the online system must meet the country’s eligibility requirements and use designated airports for the eVisa programme.

2. Rwanda

Rwanda allows travellers to apply for visas online through its immigration system.

The country’s Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration says foreigners can apply for a visitor visa online, at an immigration office or through a Rwandan diplomatic mission.

Rwanda also allows nationals of all countries to obtain visas on arrival, while certain nationalities—including Nigerians—benefit from visa-fee waivers under the country’s arrangements for African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie members.

For Nigerians specifically, Rwanda has confirmed that the country has long provided a 30-day visa-free arrangement to Nigerian citizens. Therefore, Nigerians travelling to Rwanda generally do not need to apply for an eVisa for a short visit.

3. Djibouti

Djibouti is another destination listed as offering eVisa access to Nigerian passport holders.

Passport Index currently lists Djibouti as offering both an eVisa and visa-on-arrival option for Nigerians.

Travellers should check the Djiboutian authorities’ current requirements before applying, including passport validity, supporting documents and permitted duration of stay.

4. Ecuador

Ecuador is listed among countries offering an electronic visa route to Nigerian passport holders.

Current passport information lists Ecuador as an eVisa destination for Nigerians.

However, an online visa application does not mean automatic approval. Applicants must satisfy the country’s immigration requirements before travelling.

5. El Salvador

Nigerian passport holders can also use an electronic visa route for El Salvador, according to current passport information.

Passport Index lists El Salvador as an eVisa destination for Nigerians.

Travellers should confirm the current application requirements and whether additional documents or approvals are required before booking a flight.

6. Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is another African destination listed as offering an eVisa facility to Nigerian citizens.

The electronic application route can reduce the need for applicants to begin the process through a traditional embassy application.

Applicants should nevertheless confirm the current entry conditions before travelling because visa rules can change.

7. Cambodia

Cambodia is among the Asian destinations where Nigerian passport holders can access an electronic visa route.

Current 2026 passport information lists Cambodia as an eVisa destination for Nigerians, with a stay of up to 30 days indicated for the eVisa category.

The eVisa should be obtained before travelling and presented according to Cambodia’s entry requirements.

8. Malaysia

Malaysia is also listed among destinations providing an electronic visa facility to Nigerian passport holders.

Current visa data lists Malaysia under the eVisa category for Nigerians, with a 14-day stay indicated.

Travellers should check the latest Malaysian immigration requirements before submitting an application.

9. Qatar

Nigerian passport holders are also listed as eligible for an online visa route to Qatar.

Current passport data places Qatar among destinations offering eVisa access to Nigerians.

Applicants should confirm the appropriate visa category and supporting requirements before making travel arrangements.

10. United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates offers electronic visa application routes for eligible foreign travellers, although the exact process depends on the applicant’s circumstances and visa category.

Nigerian travellers should pay particular attention to the applicable eligibility conditions because UAE entry-visa rules differ according to nationality, visa type and other circumstances.

The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security continues to update its entry-visa eligibility framework.

11. Australia

Australia operates an electronic visa system, although Nigerians should not assume that an online application means an automatic or simplified approval.

Current Nigerian passport visa data lists Australia among destinations with an electronic visa/online authorisation route.

Applicants must meet Australia’s immigration requirements and provide the documents requested during the application process.

12. Albania

Albania is another European destination listed as offering an eVisa route to Nigerian passport holders.

This can be particularly useful for Nigerians looking for destinations where the visa application process can be initiated electronically rather than through a traditional paper application.

13. Serbia

Serbia is also listed among European destinations offering an eVisa route for Nigerian citizens.

Applicants should verify the latest Serbian entry rules before making travel arrangements.

14. Moldova

Moldova is another European destination included in current eVisa listings for Nigerian passport holders.

The electronic application process means eligible applicants can begin the visa process online.

15. Bahrain

Bahrain is among the Middle Eastern destinations listed as offering an eVisa facility to Nigerian passport holders.

Travellers should check the official Bahraini immigration portal for the applicable visa category, fees and documentation.

Other countries offering online visa routes

Current 2026 passport data also lists several other destinations where Nigerians can access eVisa or electronic visa facilities, including:

Angola
Botswana
Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Gabon
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritania
Namibia
São Tomé and Príncipe
Somalia
South Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Bhutan
Indonesia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Oman
Pakistan
Singapore
South Korea
Thailand
Vietnam
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Nicaragua
Trinidad and Tobago
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Guyana
Suriname
Venezuela

The precise classification varies by source because some countries use an eVisa, while others use an electronic travel authorisation or an online application followed by another stage of processing. Current visa databases therefore produce slightly different totals. One current database, for example, lists 56 eVisa destinations for Nigerian passport holders, while another lists 60.

What Nigerians should know before applying

An eVisa does not mean visa-free entry.

Instead, it means the traveller can apply electronically before the journey, rather than necessarily visiting an embassy to submit a traditional visa application.

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The death toll from the suspected poisoning linked to the consumption of herbal concoctions and alcoholic substances in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State has risen to 29, with 60 suspected cases recorded.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo Ajaka, disclosed this on Saturday while giving an update on the unusual cluster of sudden illnesses and deaths reported in communities across Odigbo.

Ajaka said three of the suspected victims were currently receiving treatment in hospital, while 27 others were under observation. He added that 95 per cent of those affected were males aged between 16 and 55 years.

According to the commissioner, the affected communities include New Town, Odole, Okele and Orita Odigbo in Odigbo Ward, as well as Araromi-Obu, while another suspected case was reported in Oniparaga, all within Odigbo Local Government Area.

He said the Ministry of Health became aware of the initial cluster following reports of sudden deaths in New Town on September 3, after which further investigations revealed additional deaths in surrounding settlements.

Ajaka said a second cluster was later identified in Araromi-Obu, where eight people reportedly died after consuming an alcoholic substance at a naming ceremony.

He said the affected persons presented symptoms including headache, general body pains, weakness, visual disturbance, difficulty in breathing and altered consciousness, with some deteriorating rapidly and dying.

The commissioner said the pattern of illness and the reported history of exposure had raised a strong epidemiological suspicion of exposure to a probable toxic alcoholic substance, stressing, however, that the specific cause of the deaths had not been established through laboratory evidence.

“At present, we have strong epidemiological suspicion of a toxic exposure associated with an alcoholic substance, but laboratory confirmation of the specific toxic agent is still pending,” he said.

Ajaka disclosed that 36 biological specimens, including blood and urine samples, had been collected and submitted for laboratory analysis. Samples of suspected alcoholic substances recovered from the affected communities had also been secured for toxicological investigation in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He said the state government had activated an emergency response involving health authorities, the affected local government, traditional institutions, security and regulatory agencies.

As part of the response, the government has placed a temporary ban on the production and sale of locally brewed alcoholic and alcoholic-herbal beverages in Odigbo.

Ajaka urged residents to avoid suspected alcoholic substances from unlicensed sources and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty in breathing, sudden weakness, collapse or altered consciousness.