DSS warns of planned terrorist, bandit attacks on tertiary institutions in Sokoto

The Department of State Services (DSS), Sokoto state command, has warned of plans by terrorists and bandit groups to attack tertiary institutions across the state.

The service said the attacks could lead to the abduction of students, lecturers, other staff and their family members.

The warning is contained in a security alert dated August 18 and addressed to the Sokoto state government.

A DSS source confirmed the authenticity of the alert to TheCable.

In the alert, the DSS said intelligence available to the service indicated a tactical shift by criminal groups from targeting primary and secondary schools to universities and other tertiary institutions.

The service described the development as a serious threat to the education sector, noting that tertiary institutions accommodate large populations of students, academic and non-academic staff, as well as their family members.

The service said it had already alerted relevant security and response agencies to the emerging threat and urged them to deploy appropriate countermeasures to prevent the planned attacks and protect students, staff and critical educational infrastructure.

The security agency also called on the Sokoto 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.