A United States–based humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, has raised the alarm over what it described as an imminent plot by terrorists to carry out coordinated attack s on several northern Nigerian communities on Christmas Day.
However, the Bola Tinubu Presidency has swiftly dismissed the alert, questioning the motive of the group and warning that such reports could heighten fear and insecurity across the country.
The alarm was raised by the founder of Equipping The Persecuted, Judd Saul, during a roundtable meeting convened by the International Committee on Nigeria and the African Jewish Alliance on Wednesday in Washington DC.
The meeting was chaired by former United States Congressman, Frank Wolf, and attended by Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith, Senator James Lankford, members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and a Nigerian delegation.
Speaking at the meeting, Saul claimed that armed groups were regrouping for coordinated attacks across parts of the Middle Belt.
“They are gathering forces around the Plateau–Nasarawa border, along the Nasarawa–Benue border and the Nasarawa–Kaduna axis,” Saul said.
“They are planning to strike on Christmas Day in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan and Agatu.
We have very reliable information that they are weaponising for a Christmas Day massacre.”
He added, “I am imploring the Nigerian government and President Donald Trump to act urgently so we don’t end up with a mass killing of Christians in Nigeria.”
Sources familiar with the meeting said it formed part of ongoing deliberations by US lawmakers and advocacy groups on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and alleged targeted attacks on Christian communities.
A source close to the US government disclosed that Saul had formally transmitted the intelligence to American authorities through Congressman Riley Moore.
“All the congressmen present have been to Nigeria several times and have followed these issues since the Clinton administration. Saul has officially notified the US government, and Riley Moore will be filing a report to President Trump,” the source said.
Following the public session, a closed-door meeting reportedly held, though details of the discussions were not disclosed.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that it was aware of the reported plot and had commenced preventive operations.
A senior DSS officer in Abuja told PUNCH Newspaper that the agency had already received intelligence on the planned attacks.
“The service is aware; we have the intelligence report and we are already working on it,” the officer said.
Another DSS operative said the agency had intensified intelligence-gathering nationwide, noting that festive periods often coincide with attacks in parts of the Middle Belt.
“These groups have a pattern. Communities in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Benue often come under attack during Christmas. The intelligence from the US NGO may not be far from the truth, but I am sure preventive measures are already in place,” the operative added.
Riyom and Bokkos local government areas of Plateau State have witnessed repeated attacks in 2025. On October 31, gunmen killed at least six people in Kwi community, Riyom.
Earlier, at least 32 villagers, including women and infants, were killed in Jebu village in the same council area.
Reacting to the report, the Presidency dismissed the alert, describing it as doubtful and capable of creating unnecessary panic.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, urged Nigerians to be cautious about reports from external organisations.
“We should be very careful how we process some of these doubtful reports by external groups who may be setting the stage for internal crisis,” Ajayi said.
“What is the motive and agenda of this organisation in raising this kind of alarm about a likely terror attack on Christmas Day?”
He assured Nigerians that security agencies were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful Yuletide.
“Our security forces are capable of foiling any terror attack. Nigerians should not entertain fear. The police and the military are working to ensure a peaceful Christmas season,” he added.
