On a day that we remember a “thrill of hope” for our weary world to rejoice over the birth of our Lord and Savior, Christians living in the Middle Belt of Nigeria are on the precipice of a bloody massacre.
Equipping the Persecuted founder Judd Saul explained in a recent video posted to X that Nigerian intelligence has revealed the Fulani are planning an attack on Christmas Day.
These attacks are set to take place in Plateau State, specifically the communities of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, and Bokkos; Kaduna State in the Kafanchan area; and in Benue State in the region of Agatu. The Fulani militia is already mobilizing on the border of Plateau and Nasarawa States, as well as the Kaduna and Nasarawa border.
Sadly, Christmas attacks in Nigeria are not a new concept.
Fulani militants killed 11 Christians in Benue State coming home from a Christmas morning celebration last year. Earlier that week, they killed 14 people in Plateau State. A 2023 Christmas Eve attack in Plateau State left 140 dead and 300 injured. In 2015, at least 14 people were killed by Boko Haram on Christmas Day in Borno State. As Christians worshipped on Christmas Day in 2011 at churches in Niger and Plateau States, Boko Haram suicide bombers attacked, killing at least 40 people and injuring many more.
According to Saul, TruthNigeria.com, a project of Equipping the Persecuted, has issued over 100 terror alerts since 2023 with 90% accuracy. With every alert, the Nigerian government and military, as well as local police, have been notified.
“Not once has a Nigerian military or police [officer] interceded on behalf of the Christians being attacked,” Saul said. “In fact, we have many cases where the military and local police actually were complicit in these attacks.”
Since 2009, over 52,000 Christians living in Nigeria have been murdered, with more than 7,000 murders occurring this year alone. The genocide of Christians in Nigeria led President Trump to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in November of this year.
In a Truth Social post, President Trump said:
If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took to X shortly after, responding, “Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria – and anywhere – must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
President Bola Tinubu and the rest of the Nigerian government are already skating on thin ice, following the kidnapping of more than 300 students and 12 teachers from a Christian School in Niger State in late November. About 100 of those children have since been released, while the rest remain in the hands of unknown gunmen.
While President Bola Tinubu did issue a nationwide emergency following the mass abductions, claiming that Nigeria will recruit additional police officers and deploy forest guards, clearly, something’s not working.
“How do you not intervene when 300 kids are being kidnapped from a school? It’s not a lack of resources. It’s a lack of willpower,” Saul said.
Is the Nigerian Government purposefully turning a blind eye so that Christians are eradicated from the country, and Islam reigns supreme?
Amidst ongoing acts of terror and the looming Christmas attacks, one question certainly remains – is the Nigerian Government going to remain complicit? Or will they take heed to President Trump and Secretary of War Hegseth’s warnings and put an end to the atrocities against Christians?
Concerned Women for America (CWA) urges you to spread the news and join us in prayer every day leading up to Christmas, when the attacks are set to take place. Consider the following prayer points as you contend for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Nigeria:
- Pray for a hedge of protection to surround every Christian living in Nigeria, that “no weapon formed against them shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)
- Pray that they are comforted and given peace amidst fears of looming attacks. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
- Pray for the elected officials in Nigeria, that they would seek peace and pursue it, taking every action possible to protect Nigerian Christians from harm. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
- Pray that Nigerian Christians may worship the Lord, pray, read the Word, and encounter God free from persecution or fear, every day, but especially in the Christmas season, a time meant for celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- Pray for the Fulani militants, Boko Haram, and any terrorist coming against Nigerian Christians. Pray that they would encounter God and be washed with grace by the blood of Jesus. “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
