Islamic extremist groups in Nigeria are reportedly preparing a large-scale Christmas attack that could leave hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced if immediate action is not taken, according to local intelligence sources.

Judd Saul, a U.S.-based filmmaker, evangelist, and founder of Truth Nigeria, told the Daily Caller that extremist forces are actively mobilizing for coordinated assaults on Christian-majority regions. Saul warned that the coming weeks are especially dangerous, as jihadist groups historically time their most brutal attacks to coincide with Christian holidays.

According to Saul, Fulani militant groups are rallying fighters and supplies to strike several areas, including Riom, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi in Plateau State; the Agatu region of Benue State; and the Kafanchan region of Kaduna State. If the attacks proceed unchecked, Saul estimates that as many as 1,000 people could be killed, with 20,000 to 40,000 more displaced from their homes.

At least 3,100 Christians have already been killed in Nigeria in 2025, according to data from Open Doors. President Donald Trump, his State Department, and Republican lawmakers have repeatedly condemned the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christian communities facing near-daily violence.

The perpetrators include Boko Haram, ISIS–West Africa Province, and Fulani ethnic militias, with Saul identifying the latter as the primary driver of Christian killings.

“I’d say 80% of the Christian killings are done by the Fulani,” Saul said, adding that while these groups sometimes fight among themselves, they frequently cooperate when targeting Christian populations. Their long-term objective, he warned, is the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria.

While murders, rapes, and mass kidnappings are routine, Saul said extremist groups deliberately reserve their most devastating attacks for major Christian holidays. That pattern was evident during the 2023 Christmas massacres, when roughly 200 Nigerians were killed, most of them in the Bokkos area, according to persecution.org.

“More dead bodies were found in the bush today,” one witness said at the time. “My village was attacked on Christmas Eve. Many houses were burnt, including my church.”

Concerns about another Christmas attack are shared by international human rights advocates. Sean Nelson, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom International, said Friday that Christmas is increasingly a time of fear for Christians worldwide due to targeted violence.

Saul said Truth Nigeria has gained credibility through its network of citizen journalists who operate on the ground, often arriving at attack sites to document casualties and interview survivors. He contrasted their reporting with mainstream Nigerian media outlets, which he claims are financially influenced by the state and rely heavily on official briefings.

According to Saul, his team can predict attacks with nearly 90% accuracy based on unusual movements reported by villagers—such as large groups of armed militants traveling on seldom-used roads, often on motorcycles. He also alleged that Nigerian military units frequently withdraw from areas shortly before attacks occur.

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

Saul insists the looming Christmas attack is preventable but says it would require decisive action and accountability from Nigerian authorities.

“Does the Nigerian government love its terrorists more than its own people?” Saul asked. “Or do they want a prosperous Nigeria that could be a beacon of hope for Africa?”

While Saul said he opposes U.S. military intervention in principle, he acknowledged it may become necessary if the killings continue. He also suggested that long-term stability may require international oversight to ensure legitimate elections.

“I’m begging the U.S. government to intervene so we can stop the slaughter of Christians this Christmas,” Saul said.

In early November, President Trump issued a blunt warning to Nigeria’s government on Truth Social, threatening to halt U.S. aid and consider military action if Christian killings continue.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance,” Trump wrote, warning that any military response would be “fast, vicious, and decisive.”

As Christmas approaches, Christian communities across Nigeria are bracing for what many fear could be another blood-soaked holiday—unless the warnings are finally taken seriously.