ONSA has warned Nigerians to stay vigilant over possible isolated attacks as military operations continue to weaken terrorist and criminal networks.
Nigerians have been asked to pay closer attention to their surroundings as the Federal Government raises concerns that terrorist and criminal groups could attempt isolated attacks despite recent setbacks suffered during security operations.
The alert was issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in a security advisory dated August 27, 2026.
Rather than indicating an imminent nationwide threat, the advisory reflects concerns over the possible reaction of terrorist groups to increased pressure from Nigerian security forces.
ONSA said recent military and intelligence operations have weakened the activities of several terrorist and criminal organisations operating in different parts of the country.
The agency listed Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), splinter groups and other criminal networks among those affected by the operations.
Several of the groups’ operational locations have also reportedly been disrupted, with security forces targeting camps, hideouts and other areas associated with their activities.
The operations have equally resulted in the deaths of some senior figures within the affected organisations.
Among those recently killed was an ISWAP commander identified as Abubakar Mainok, popularly known within the group as Abu Bilal Al-Minuki.
Despite these developments, ONSA warned that the pressure on terrorist groups should not lead the public to lower its guard.
According to the agency, organisations whose networks have been weakened may still have the capacity to attempt isolated incidents, making public awareness an important part of the broader security response.
The advisory followed continued operations by Nigerian security agencies across the North-East, North-West and North-Central parts of the country.
ONSA said the operations have been supported by cooperation between Nigerian authorities and partners within and outside the country.
The agency noted that intelligence-led efforts and coordinated security actions have contributed to the progress recorded against terrorist and criminal networks.
However, it stressed that the changing nature of the threat requires citizens to remain observant.
People were particularly advised to take note of unusual behaviour or activities in their neighbourhoods and to contact security agencies when they encounter something they genuinely consider suspicious.
The warning covers a range of possible indicators, including unfamiliar or suspicious individuals, vehicles, objects and movements.
ONSA said members of the public should not ignore activities that appear out of place, particularly when there are reasonable grounds for concern.
At the same time, the agency appealed to Nigerians not to allow the security warning to generate unnecessary fear.
It stressed the importance of distinguishing between genuine security concerns and rumours, particularly as unverified information can spread quickly and create panic.
The agency consequently advised citizens to exercise caution when sharing reports about alleged security incidents, especially information obtained through social media or informal channels.
According to ONSA, circulating unconfirmed reports can create unnecessary tension and may also affect ongoing security efforts.
The agency’s position is that vigilance should be accompanied by restraint, with citizens encouraged to depend on credible information from authorised sources before drawing conclusions about security developments.
State and local governments have also been urged to play a more active role in strengthening security at the community level.
ONSA wants authorities in those areas to encourage residents to remain watchful, support preventive security initiatives and establish effective channels for passing useful information to security agencies.
The agency said timely information remains important to the ability of security personnel to detect and respond to potential threats.
The appeal also places communities at the centre of efforts to prevent attacks, particularly in areas where terrorist and criminal networks have previously operated.
Rather than leaving security responsibilities entirely to the military and other law enforcement bodies, ONSA emphasised the need for cooperation between authorities and the communities they serve.
The agency maintained that members of the public can contribute to national security by reporting credible information and cooperating with security personnel.
It nevertheless urged Nigerians to remain calm as security agencies continue their operations.
The Federal Government, ONSA said, remains focused on protecting lives and property and will continue to take steps aimed at confronting terrorist and criminal threats.
The government is also expected to maintain its engagement with international partners as part of efforts to improve the country’s response to evolving security challenges.
ONSA said such cooperation would include intelligence exchange, security collaboration and coordinated preventive actions.
The agency’s latest advisory comes at a time when security forces are continuing operations against armed and terrorist groups in several parts of Nigeria.
The reported loss of commanders and disruption of camps and hideouts represent setbacks for the targeted groups, but ONSA’s warning suggests that security agencies are not assuming the threat has disappeared.
Instead, the public is being encouraged to remain attentive while security operations continue.
For ordinary Nigerians, the advice is to remain aware of what is happening around them, report credible suspicions to the appropriate authorities and avoid spreading information that has not been verified.
ONSA also wants government authorities at the state and local levels to strengthen their cooperation with security agencies and improve the flow of relevant information.
The agency believes that combining military action with community vigilance and effective intelligence sharing will help reduce the ability of terrorist and criminal groups to exploit vulnerable areas.
As the security operations continue, ONSA said cooperation between citizens, government institutions and security agencies remains essential to protecting communities and preventing emerging threats from escalating.
The agency therefore called for vigilance without panic, urging Nigerians to remain alert while allowing security authorities to continue their work.
For now, the Federal Government’s position is that recent operations have significantly disrupted terrorist and criminal networks, but the possibility of isolated attacks means citizens must continue to exercise caution.
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