Planned Christmas Day Attacks Uncovered as Presidency Responds

A humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, has raised concerns over a possible terror plot targeting communities in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day. The alert was issued by the group’s founder, Judd Saul, during a roundtable meeting in Washington DC, United States, which focused on insecurity in Nigeria and the alleged killing of Christians.

Saul claimed that terrorists were regrouping along borders in Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kaduna states, with potential attacks planned in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan, and Agatu. He called on the Nigerian government and President Donald Trump to intervene to prevent large-scale casualties.

The Washington meeting was chaired by former congressman Frank Wolf and attended by US lawmakers Riley Moore, Chris Smith, Senator James Lankford, members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, and a Nigerian delegation. According to sources, Saul formally communicated the intelligence through Moore, who is expected to report it to President Trump.

In Nigeria, security agencies have confirmed awareness of the threat. The Department of State Services (DSS) stated that intelligence reports had been received and preventive measures were already underway. DSS operatives emphasized that communities in the Middle Belt have historically experienced attacks during festive periods, citing previous incidents in Riyom, Bokkos, and Agatu that resulted in multiple deaths.

Despite the warning, the Presidency questioned the credibility of the alert, cautioning against spreading unverified reports that could incite fear. Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the government’s security forces are prepared to prevent any attacks and urged Nigerians not to panic.

Regional groups also responded to the report. The Middle Belt Forum highlighted previous intelligence that accurately predicted attacks and urged the government to protect vulnerable communities. The Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union called for increased security presence during the festive period and encouraged local communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.

Efforts to obtain comments from police and military officials in Plateau, Kaduna, and Benue states were largely unsuccessful. A senior official, speaking anonymously, assured that surveillance and intelligence operations would continue, though no specific threat details were provided.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the country approaches the Christmas period.