Islamic Extremists Prepare To Slaughter Hundreds On Christmas, Local Intel Warns

Islamic extremists in Nigeria are reportedly plotting an attack for Christmas — which could result in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of many more if left unchecked, the head of a Nigerian news site told the Daily Caller.

U.S.-based filmmaker, evangelist and founder of Truth Nigeria, Judd Saul, told the Caller that extremists are mobilizing units in preparation for a mass assault on Christian regions of Nigeria.

Fulani militants appear to be rallying forces and supplies to strike Riom, Bokkos and Barkin Lotti of Plateau state, the Agatu region of Benue state and the Kafanchan region of Kaduna state in Nigeria, according to Saul. (RELATED: Anti-Christian Extremists Can’t Stop Brutalizing European Christmas Markets)

Saul warned that if immediate action is not taken by the Nigerian state — and likely with pressure from the U.S. — they may see up to 1,000 people dead and potentially 20,000 to 40,000 more displaced.

At least 3,100 Christians have been killed in Nigeria in 2025, according to Open Doors data. President Donald Trump, his State Department and Republican members of Congress have repeatedly called on the government to protect Christians in the region.

The perpetrators of these near-daily attacks consist of Boko Haram, ISIS of West Africa and the Fulani ethnic militia, with the latter likely being the most dangerous, according to Saul.

“I’d say 80% of the Christian killings are done by the Fulani,” Saul told the Caller. He noted that these groups often work together when they are not fighting among themselves, and their main goal is to turn Nigeria into a caliphate.

A Nigerian Police Officer patrols an area of destroyed and burned houses after a recent Fulani attack in the Adara farmers’ village of Angwan Aku, Kaduna State, Nigeria on April 14, 2019. (Photo credit should read LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images)

Although murders, rapes and mass kidnappings happen regularly, Saul said the terrorists often save their most horrendous attacks for Christian holidays.

A 2023 Christmas massacre left approximately 200 Nigerians dead, with a majority of the deaths in Bokkos, according to persecution.org.

“More dead bodies were found in the bush today,” one witness told persecution.org. “Yes, my village was attacked on Christmas Eve, and other villages close to my community. Many houses were burnt including my church. I can’t say how many people were killed but we found more dead bodies today and we are looking for missing ones.”

Judd is not alone in his fear of a potential upcoming attack. Senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, Sean Nelson, (who recently participated in a roundtable with congressional leaders on Nigerian Christian persecution) gave a similar warning.

“Christmas is, sadly, a time when many Christians globally worry about persecution & violent attacks against them,” Nelson said Friday.

Christmas is, sadly, a time when many Christians globally worry about persecution & violent attacks against them.

In the Middle Belt of Nigeria 🇳🇬, it’s happened often, on a mass scale.

And very possibly could happen this year, from current reports.

They need immediate help. https://t.co/ge1ANja1Ot

— Sean Nelson (@Sean_ADFIntl) December 12, 2025

Saul said his publication is aware of the specific locations and severity of potential attacks due to the work of brave citizen journalists. 

His reporters are not only familiar with the region and historical conflicts, but they also show up to the scene of attacks to identify and count bodies and interview witnesses, Saul told the Caller.

Saul contrasted his reporters with mainstream Nigeria outlets, the latter of which he claims are paid by the state to attend government hosted press briefings.

Saul also said their investigative work allows them to predict upcoming attacks with nearly 90% accuracy. He contrasted this with the military, which he claims “magically disappears” from an area before its citizens are attacked.

Saul declined to provide the Caller with the specific tips his journalists received regarding a potential Christmas attack, but he detailed how they usually conduct the investigative process.

Although Truth Nigeria was created to archive the attacks and share them abroad, Saul said it quickly grew its credibility with locals, leading many to reach out and offer tips on unusual movements.

A woman and her daughter visit a decorated Christmas village during a Christmas light fair in Abuja on December 22, 2022. (Photo by KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Saul told the Caller that villagers will often reach out when large groups of strangers travel on roads that are less frequented. Saul’s reporters will then call contacts in neighboring villages to get an in-depth and corroborated account of the direction and size of the party.

“When they see movement, they call us,” Saul said. “When they see, you know, 100 armed Fulani militia on motorcycles heading somewhere, they call us.”

Saul told the Caller that the potential Christmas attack, like others, is preventable — but only if officials are willing to clean house.

“Does the Nigerian government love its terrorism more than they love their own people?” Saul asked. “Do they want to see a prosperous Nigeria that could be a beacon of hope for the rest of Africa? Or do they love their terrorists and their stupid radical Islamist ideology more? That’s the question.” (RELATED: Republican Leaders Turn To Christ To Guide Policy On Islamic Countries)

Saul added that he would hate to see U.S. military intervention take place, but it may be necessary to stop the killings, adding that a long-term solution could require a third party to ensure a legitimate election.

“I would beg and ask the U.S. government to do something to intervene so we can stop the killing of these Christians on Christmas,” Saul said.

In early November, Trump issued a warning to the Nigerian government on Truth Social.

“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,” he stated.

“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!” Trump concluded.

“Yes sir,” Secretary of War Pete Hegesth responded.

“Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.