A humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, has raised alarm over an alleged plan by terrorists to carry out coordinated attacks during the Christmas period in parts of Plateau, Benue and Kaduna states.
The warning was issued on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., during a round-table discussion convened by the International Committee on Nigeria and the African Jewish Alliance.
Speaking at the event, the organisation’s founder, Judd Saul, urged President Bola Tinubu and United States President Donald Trump to take urgent action to prevent the alleged attacks.
According to Saul, the terrorists are reportedly mobilising along strategic borders linking Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue and Kaduna states, with plans to strike Christian communities on Christmas Day.
“They’re gathering forces along the Plateau–Nasarawa border, the Nasarawa–Benue border and the Nasarawa–Kaduna border,” Saul said. “They are planning to hit on Christmas Riyom and Bokkos in Plateau, Kafanchan in Kaduna, and Agatu in Benue.”
He claimed the organisation had received “very reliable intelligence” indicating that the attackers were arming, mobilising and preparing for coordinated assaults.
“I’m imploring the Nigerian government and President Donald Trump to do something now, so we don’t wake up to another Christmas massacre with countless innocent Christians killed in Nigeria,” Saul added.
Riyom Local Government Area in Plateau State, predominantly inhabited by the Berom ethnic group, has a long history of violent attacks and communal killings.
In July 2012, more than 300 people were reportedly killed in coordinated attacks on communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas, allegedly by armed herdsmen.
On July 8, 2012, during the mass burial of 63 victims in Matse village, gunmen attacked mourners, killing over 100 people, including Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong, who represented Plateau North in the National Assembly at the time.
