A prominent U.S. missionary organization named ‘Equipping The Persecuted’, and the Nigerian Presidency are at loggerheads over an alleged plot to launch Christmas Day attacks in Nigeria.
The missionary group claimed to have received intelligence indicating that terrorists are plotting several attacks in sundry locations on Christmas Day in the country.
But the Nigerian presidency has faulted the alarm by the group, claiming that the alert was doubtful and could create unnecessary fear among Nigerians.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the founder of the organisation, Judd Saul, disclosed the alleged plot during a roundtable meeting convened by the International Committee on Nigeria and the African Jewish Alliance.
The meeting, which was held on Wednesday in Washington DC, United States, was chaired by a former congressman, Frank Wolf.
The meeting was also attended by Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith, Senator James Lankford, and members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, alongside some Nigerian delegation.
In his address, Saul stated: “They are gathering forces around the Plateau and Nasarawa border, along the Nasarawa-Benue border, and along the Nasarawa-Kaduna border. They are planning to hit on Christmas Day in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan, and Agatu.
“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 do something so we don’t have a bunch of dead Christians in Nigeria.”
However, in a swift response, the Nigerian Presidency rejected claims of alleged Christmas Day attacks in Nigeria.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Mr Temitope Ajayi, said the public should be cautious about circulating reports from external groups without verifying their intentions.
He said: “We should be very careful how we digest and process some of these doubtful reports by external organisations who are setting a stage for an internal crisis in our country. We should not be providing oxygen for reports that heighten a sense of insecurity in our country.”
Questioning the intention behind the alert, Ajayi added, “What is the motive and agenda of this organisation in raising this kind of alarm about a likely terror attack in the three states and on Christmas Day?
“Whatever the motive is, our security forces are capable of foiling any terror attack and keeping us safe,” he said.
“Nigerians should not entertain any fear in any part of the country. The police and the military are working to ensure we have a peaceful Christmas and Yuletide season.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Nigeria has experienced a series of deadly attacks on or around Christmas Day.
The 2011 Christmas Day bombings were one of the most severe coordinated attacks, claimed by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
The attack happened after terrorists invaded St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, a satellite town near Abuja, where at least 37 people were killed– a terror attack that horrified the nation.
The development also comes as the U.S intensified scrutiny on the Nigerian government over genocide targeting Christians in Nigeria.
U.S President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has been engaging in talks with several U.S officials over the CPC designation.
