A humanitarian group, Equipping The Persecuted, has warned of an alleged plan to carry out coordinated attacks in parts of northern Nigeria on Christmas Day. The Presidency, however, has questioned the credibility and intent of the alert, warning that it could unnecessarily heighten public fear.
The organisation’s founder, Judd Saul, raised the concern during a roundtable hosted by the International Committee on Nigeria and the African Jewish Alliance on Wednesday in Washington, DC. The session was chaired by former US congressman Frank Wolf.
Saturday PUNCH gathered that the meeting was attended by US lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith, Senator James Lankford, officials of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and members of a Nigerian delegation.
According to Saul, armed groups are regrouping in border areas of Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Kaduna states, with plans to strike communities including Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan and Agatu on Christmas Day.
“They are amassing fighters around the Plateau–Nasarawa border, the Nasarawa–Benue axis and the Nasarawa–Kaduna corridor. We have credible information that they are preparing for attacks on Christmas Day,” he said, urging both the Nigerian government and US President Donald Trump to intervene.
Sources familiar with the meeting said the discussions formed part of broader engagements aimed at addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and allegations of targeted attacks on Christians. A US government source disclosed that Saul had formally passed the intelligence to Washington through Congressman Riley Moore, who is expected to brief President Trump.
It was also learnt that a closed-door session followed the public meeting, though details of that discussion were not made public.
In Abuja, a senior official of the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed awareness of the alleged plot, saying preventive measures were already underway.
“The service is aware of the intelligence and we are acting on it,” the official said.
Another DSS operative noted that attacks in parts of the Middle Belt often follow a familiar pattern, especially during festive periods, adding that the intelligence shared by the NGO could be consistent with past trends.
Riyom and Bokkos communities in Plateau State have experienced repeated attacks in 2025, while parts of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State have also recorded incidents this year. Southern Kaduna communities near Kafanchan have similarly faced security challenges in recent months.
Attempts to obtain comments from the police and military authorities in the affected states were largely unsuccessful. However, a senior security official, who requested anonymity, assured that surveillance and intelligence efforts were being intensified to prevent any attacks.
Presidency dismisses alert
Reacting to the report, the Presidency dismissed the warning, describing it as questionable and capable of stoking fear.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, cautioned Nigerians against circulating unverified reports from external groups.
“We must be careful how we process some of these doubtful reports by outside organisations that could be setting the stage for internal tension,” he said, questioning the group’s motive for issuing such an alarm.
Ajayi assured Nigerians that security agencies were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful Christmas season.
Calls for heightened security
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) said although it had not officially received the intelligence, similar warnings in the past had proven accurate. Its president, Dr Bitrus Pogu, urged authorities to take the alert seriously and strengthen protection for vulnerable communities.
Likewise, the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU) noted that attacks in the region often coincide with festive periods and called on security agencies to deploy personnel to strategic locations, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements.
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