Advocacy Group Raises Alarm Over Alleged Planned Attacks on Benue, Plateau communities

A United States-based advocacy organisation, under the aegis of Equipping the Persecuted, has raised concerns over an alleged plot to launch coordinated attacks on communities in Benue and Plateau states, urging residents to remain vigilant in the coming days.

The group’s Executive Director, Judd Saul, made the claim in a viral video posted on social media alleging that the organisation had received intelligence indicating that armed attackers were planning coordinated attacks on vulnerable communities in parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt between Thursday, July 2, and Sunday July 5

Saul urged residents to remain alert, take necessary precautionary measures and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.

According to him, communities in Agatu, Guma, Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas of Benue State, as well as parts of Jos South and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, could be at risk.

However, the claims have not been independently verified. As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian security agencies had not publicly confirmed the alleged threat or issued any official security advisory on the matter.

The warning comes amid lingering insecurity in Benue and Plateau states, where recurring attacks by armed groups have left scores dead, displaced thousands of residents and destroyed homes and other property.