Security agencies in Nigeria have heightened vigilance following reports by a humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, of a purported plan to carry out coordinated attacks in select northern communities on Christmas Day. The alert, however, was met with caution by the Presidency, which described the report as unverified and warned against spreading unnecessary fear.

The revelation came during a roundtable meeting hosted in Washington DC, United States, by the International Committee on Nigeria in collaboration with the African Jewish Alliance, chaired by former US Congressman Frank Wolf. The meeting, held on Wednesday, was attended by prominent figures including Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith, Senator James Lankford, and members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, alongside a Nigerian delegation.

Speaking at the meeting, Judd Saul, founder of Equipping The Persecuted, claimed terrorists were regrouping along key borders, including Plateau-Nasarawa, Nasarawa-Benue, and Nasarawa-Kaduna, reportedly planning attacks in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan, and Agatu. Saul emphasised the urgent need for actionable intelligence, stating, “We got very reliable information that they are weaponising for a Christmas Day massacre. I am imploring the Nigerian government and President Donald Trump to act so we don’t have a bunch of dead Christians in Nigeria.”

Sources indicated that Saul had officially communicated the intelligence report to the US government through Congressman Riley Moore, who will relay it to President Trump. Attendees reportedly classified the attackers largely as terrorists and jihadists, reflecting ongoing concerns about violent extremism in Nigeria. Following the session, a separate closed-door meeting was held for further discussions.

Responding to the report locally, a senior officer of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja confirmed awareness of the alleged plot and assured that preventive measures had commenced. “The service is aware; we have the intelligence report and we are already working on it,” the officer said. Another DSS operative explained that intelligence-gathering efforts nationwide have been intensified, particularly in areas with repeated festive season attacks.

Recent security incidents underline the threat. Riyom and Bokkos in Plateau State experienced multiple attacks in 2025, including the killing of six residents in Kwi community on October 31 and a major assault in Jebu village, resulting in 32 fatalities. Similarly, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State witnessed several violent attacks earlier in the year, with dozens of casualties, primarily affecting Christian communities.

Despite these concerns, the Presidency urged the public to exercise caution in responding to reports from external organisations. Mr Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, stated, “We should not provide oxygen for reports that heighten a sense of insecurity. The motive behind such alarms must be questioned, and the public should remain calm.”

Ajayi further reassured Nigerians that security forces remain fully capable of thwarting any potential terror attack. “Whatever the motive is, our security forces are prepared to keep the nation safe,” he said, emphasizing that citizens should not allow fear to overshadow the festive season.

Authorities in Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue states have continued to monitor vulnerable communities, with DSS, police, and other security agencies deploying preventive measures to safeguard lives and property. Residents are being urged to cooperate with security personnel and report suspicious activities, reinforcing the principle that security is a collective responsibility.