Southwest on red alert as security notice warns of imminent banditry, terrorism threats

By Odunewu Olusegun

Residents of Lagos communities and other parts of Nigeria’s South-West have been urged to heighten security vigilance following the circulation of a notice warning of alleged imminent threats of banditry and terrorism, with community leaders being directed to implement a sweeping set of security measures.

An investigation by National Daily revealed that the notice, which bears the appearance of an official security advisory, has been circulated across several Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Lagos. However, the alert had yet to be confirmed by relevant government security agencies as of the time of this report.

The absence of official confirmation has raised questions about the source of the warning, the credibility of the threat assessment and whether the measures outlined in the notice represent an authorised government directive or recommendations circulated among community stakeholders.

The notice specifically cites alleged threats of banditry and terrorism in the South-West and South-South regions, urging CDAs, streets and communities to comply with a 21-point action plan intended to strengthen neighbourhood security and restrict the movement of individuals considered suspicious.

While some of the recommendations focus on conventional community policing measures, others propose restrictions on movement, the removal of kiosks and informal structures, the registration of tenants and visitors, and possible demolition of houses linked to suspected criminal activity.

These proposals raise questions about implementation, legal authority and the risk of residents taking enforcement into their own hands.

21-point security plan orders tighter controls across communities

The notice outlines 21 measures that CDAs are expected to implement, ranging from immediate action against street-level security vulnerabilities to longer-term investments in surveillance and intelligence gathering.

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Among the immediate directives are a ban on begging within communities, the removal of people occupying hiding places, the dismantling of kiosks and restrictions on access by unidentified or unregistered commercial motorcycle operators, commonly referred to as okada riders.

The notice also directs CDAs to install manned gates at community entrances, employ at least two or three security personnel, equip them with torches, walkie-talkies and whistles, and ensure that every street has a designated security officer.

It further calls for the installation of solar-powered streetlights and CCTV cameras on streets that lack adequate surveillance infrastructure.

In a move aimed at improving emergency response, the notice recommends a central alarm system for each CDA and the circulation of security personnel’s contact numbers across communities and relevant areas.

These measures appear designed to strengthen neighbourhood surveillance, improve early warning systems and make it more difficult for criminals to exploit poorly monitored access routes.

However, the notice does not identify a specific incident, affected community, intelligence report or named security agency to substantiate its assertion of an imminent threat.

It also does not provide a timeline for the alleged threat or explain whether the warning is based on a formal security assessment covering the South-West and South-South regions.

Landlords, tenants face new security obligations

A significant part of the proposed action plan targets landlords, tenants and property owners.

Landlords are instructed to maintain records of all tenants, including information about their occupations. CDAs are also directed to compile lists of vacant houses that could allegedly be occupied by bandits or become targets for government action.

The notice warns that landlords could be held liable for allowing people to use their compounds as sleeping places without proper arrangements, while also urging communities to stop the use of residential compounds by wanderers.

Another directive calls for the reporting of houses occupied by individuals considered to have questionable characters or suspicious operations to community chairmen and the police.

The document goes further by warning that houses in which bandits are found could be demolished, citing a previous demolition in Ibadan as an example.

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These provisions raise important questions about the distinction between legitimate community intelligence gathering and actions that could infringe on the rights of residents.

While maintaining accurate tenancy records and reporting credible security concerns can assist law enforcement, suspicion alone is not proof of criminal conduct. Property demolition, eviction and other coercive measures must be grounded in applicable law and due process rather than unilateral decisions by community associations.

The notice does not specify the legal authority under which CDAs could enforce the proposed restrictions or determine that a person or property poses a security threat.

Curfew proposal and restrictions on commercial activities

The notice also proposes restricting access to communities between 10pm and 5am.

It calls on CDAs to regulate access by people who buy used phones, scrap metals and other materials, requiring visitors to obtain prior approval from the CDA’s security committee before entering individual streets.

It further recommends clearing unapproved market locations and removing structures that could provide cover for criminal activities.

Churches and mosques are directed to sensitise their members about the alleged threat, while residents are encouraged to remain alert and cooperate with community security personnel.

Although the measures reflect concerns about access control and the possible exploitation of poorly monitored locations, their implementation could affect lawful movement, informal traders, night-shift workers, transport operators and other residents who need to enter or leave their communities during restricted hours.

The notice does not clarify whether the proposed overnight restriction is a formal curfew authorised by a competent government authority or a recommendation for voluntary community-level access management.

It similarly fails to explain what safeguards would prevent the measures from being applied arbitrarily against innocent residents, visitors or legitimate businesses.

Previous false alarms raise concerns over verification

The circulation of the latest notice comes against the background of previous security scares in Lagos, some of which prompted police warnings about misinformation.

In June 2026, the Lagos State Police Command dismissed viral claims that bandits had invaded parts of the state, including Ibeju-Lekki, Imota and Oke-Afo. The reports were described as unfounded, and the police warned against sharing unverified material.