Presidency, DSS Debunk U.S. NGO Statement, Say No Terrorists Are Planning to Attack on Christmas Day
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Federal Government has dismissed an alert from the United States–based humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, that terrorists are planning to launch an attack on christmas day, describing it as doubtful and capable of causing panic.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, who debunked the alert in a statement, assured that security agencies were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful Christmas season.
OTN News observes that the Department of State Services (DSS) who also confirmed this news saying it was aware of the reported plot, said it had begun preventive operations.
Furthermore, a senior DSS officer said the agency had received intelligence on the alleged plan, while another operative noted that attacks often occur during festive periods in parts of Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Benue.
OTN News recalls that the United States–based humanitarian organisation, Equipping The Persecuted, has warned of an alleged plan by terrorists to launch coordinated attack on some northern Nigerian communities on Christmas Day.
The warning was issued by the group’s founder, Judd Saul, during a roundtable meeting in Washington, DC, organised by the International Committee on Nigeria and the African Jewish Alliance.
The meeting was chaired by former US Congressman Frank Wolf and attended by US lawmakers, officials of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and a Nigerian delegation.
Saul claimed that armed groups were regrouping across parts of the Middle Belt, particularly around the Plateau–Nasarawa, Nasarawa–Benue and Nasarawa–Kaduna axis.
He alleged that the groups planned to attack communities in Riyom, Bokkos, Kafanchan and Agatu on Christmas Day and urged urgent action to prevent mass killings.
Sources said the meeting was part of ongoing discussions by US lawmakers and advocacy groups on Nigeria’s security challenges and alleged att+cks on Christian communities. One source disclosed that Saul had formally passed the intelligence to US authorities through Congressman Riley Moore.
Reacting to this, the Presidency urged Nigerians to be cautious about reports from external organisations.
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