Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) has detained three teenagers aged 14 to 19 for planning separate attacks inspired by extremist ideologies. The youths, who had self-radicalised online, were arrested between April and June 2026 under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which permits detention without trial.
The most concerning case involves a 14-year-old Secondary 2 student arrested in May, just a month before he intended to carry out a mass stabbing at his school. The student had drafted a 21-page manifesto detailing his attack plan, including his choice of weapons and a list of targets, primarily non-Muslim teachers and students. He idolised mass shooters and was influenced by violent content online, including first-person shooter games on platforms like Roblox.
Another detainee, a 15-year-old Secondary 4 student, was radicalised by ISIS ideologies and planned to conduct an attack in Singapore to further the group's cause. The third individual, a 19-year-old tertiary student, also supported ISIS and intended to carry out knife attacks against Singapore Armed Forces personnel and LGBTQ students in his school.
These cases highlight a troubling trend of youth radicalisation in Singapore, with more than half of the 23 youths dealt with under the ISA in the past decade intending to carry out attacks within the country. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any signs of radicalisation to prevent such incidents.
In response to these threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued directives to internet service providers to block access to terrorism-related online content linked to radicalisation cases. Education Minister Desmond Lee emphasised the importance of prevention and education in safeguarding the community.
The ISD continues to monitor and address the threat of radicalisation among youths, underscoring the need for collective efforts to maintain Singapore's security.