Department of State Services (DSS) has on Monday warned people in some parts of the country to be wary of plans to incite religious violence in those areas.
The agency made this known in a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, on Monday evening.
Mr Afunanya listed 12 states as the main target, urging Nigerians to shun any divisive antics.
He expressed;
The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to alert the public about plans by some elements working with external forces to incite religious violence across the country. Targeted states include Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Oyo, Lagos and those in the South East.
Part of the plans is to cause inter-religious conflicts as well as use their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities, key and vulnerable points.
Consequently, Nigerians are advised to be wary of these antics and shun all divisive tendencies aimed at inciting or setting them against one another.
Afunaya added that it would collaborate with other security agencies to maintain public order and warned “those hatching these plots … to desist from such in the interest of peace, security and development of the country”.
He concluded;
However, law-abiding citizens (and residents) are encouraged to report suspected breaches of peace around them to the nearest security agencies.
The advisory by DSS comes on the heels of heightened insecurity in many parts of Nigeria.
Aside Boko Haram terrorists mostly operating in the North-east, armed bandits have terrorized many parts of the North-west and North-central.
Bandits have also been accused of rampant kidnappings across the country.
Read Also: US Adds Nigeria To Religious Freedom Blacklist
In addition, United States government had, last December, included Nigeria for the first time among a list of “countries of concern … for engaging systematic, ongoing, egregious religious freedom violations”.
It said the Nigerian government’s response to cases of religious violence was either weak or non-existent.
