A United States-based humanitarian organization, Equipping The Persecuted, has raised concerns about an imminent plot by terrorists to carry out coordinated attacks on several northern Nigerian communities on Christmas Day.

However, the Bola Tinubu Presidency swiftly dismissed the alert, questioning the motives of the organization and cautioning that such reports could exacerbate fear and insecurity across the country.

Alarm Raised by US Group

The alarm was sounded by Judd Saul, founder of Equipping The Persecuted, during a roundtable meeting organized by the International Committee on Nigeria and the African Jewish Alliance on Wednesday in Washington, DC.

The meeting, chaired by former U.S. Congressman Frank Wolf, was attended by lawmakers including Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith, Senator James Lankford, members of the U.S. 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 of Nigeria. He stated that the groups were amassing forces along the Plateau-Nasarawa border, the Nasarawa-Benue border, and the Nasarawa-Kaduna axis, with plans to strike on Christmas Day in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan, and Agatu.

“We have very reliable information that they are weaponizing for a Christmas Day massacre,” Saul said. “I implore the Nigerian government and President Donald Trump to act urgently to prevent the mass killing of Christians in Nigeria.”

Sources familiar with the meeting confirmed that it was part of ongoing discussions among U.S. lawmakers and advocacy groups about the worsening insecurity in Nigeria and alleged targeted attacks on Christian communities.

A source close to the U.S. government disclosed that Saul had formally passed the intelligence to American authorities through Congressman Riley Moore.

US Lawmakers Informed

“All the congressmen present have visited Nigeria multiple times and have been following these issues since the Clinton administration. Saul has officially notified the U.S. government, and Riley Moore will be filing a report to President Trump,” the source said.

Following the public meeting, a closed-door session was reportedly held, although the details of those discussions were not disclosed.

DSS Confirms Intelligence, Intensifies Operations

In response to the alarming report, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that it was aware of the potential plot and had already initiated preventive operations.

A senior DSS officer in Abuja told PUNCH Newspaper that the agency had received the intelligence report and was actively working on it.

“The service is aware; we have the intelligence report and we are already working on it,” the officer stated.

Another DSS operative noted that the agency had intensified its intelligence-gathering efforts nationwide, recognizing that festive periods often coincide with attacks in the Middle Belt.

“These groups have a pattern. Communities in Plateau, Southern Kaduna, and Benue often come under attack during Christmas,” the operative explained. “The intelligence from the U.S. NGO may not be far from the truth, but I am sure preventive measures are already in place.”

Past Attacks in Plateau

Riyom and Bokkos local government areas in Plateau State have witnessed multiple attacks in 2025. On October 31, gunmen killed at least six people in Kwi community, Riyom, and earlier in the year, at least 32 villagers, including women and infants, were killed in Jebu village, also in the same council area.

Presidency Dismisses Alert

Despite the confirmation of the threat by the DSS, the Presidency dismissed the Equipping The Persecuted‘s alert, describing it as doubtful and warning that such reports could heighten panic among Nigerians.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, urged caution in responding to reports from external organizations, suggesting that such alerts could stir unnecessary fear and potentially destabilize the country.

“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 stated. “What is the motive and agenda of this organization in raising this kind of alarm about a likely terror attack on Christmas Day?”

Government Assures Nigerians of Security

Ajayi assured Nigerians that the country’s security agencies were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful holiday season.

“Our security forces are capable of foiling any terror attack. Nigerians should not entertain fear. The police and military are working to ensure a peaceful Christmas season,” he added.