The United States military has reportedly developed contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria following a directive from former President Donald Trump ordering the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorist attacks, The New York Times reports.
According to the report published on Wednesday, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) presented several operational options to the Department of War in response to a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth, who sought plans consistent with Trump’s instructions.
Officials familiar with the internal discussions revealed that the proposals—classified as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—outline varying degrees of U.S. military involvement in Nigeria.
Three Military Scenarios on the Table
Under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers to target militant strongholds deep within northern Nigeria.
The “medium option” calls for the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones to conduct precision strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles, with U.S. intelligence providing real-time surveillance and targeting support to ensure accuracy.
Meanwhile, the “light option” focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics assistance, and joint operations with Nigerian security forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and attacks on churches.
“Limited airstrikes or drone operations would have little long-term impact on Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency without a broader, sustained campaign,” — Senior Pentagon official quoted by The New York Times
Pentagon Cautious on Long-Term Commitment
Despite the military preparations, senior Pentagon officials reportedly acknowledge that airstrikes alone would not end the insurgency without a more comprehensive strategy—one that mirrors U.S. interventions in Iraq or Afghanistan, which few in Washington currently support.
Trump had warned of possible U.S. military intervention in Nigeria if what he described as “genocide against Christians” was not stopped—a claim the Bola Tinubu administration has strongly denied.
China Warns Against Foreign Intervention
In a related development, China on Tuesday voiced its opposition to any foreign military action in Nigeria, emphasizing its support for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs or to threaten them with sanctions or force,”
— Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Mao’s remarks came in response to questions about Trump’s reported threat of military action.
Nigeria Rejects U.S. Religious Freedom Designation
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Government on Wednesday rejected its inclusion on the U.S. list of countries accused of violating religious freedom, describing the designation as based on “inaccurate data and misrepresentation” of its security situation.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris clarified that Nigeria’s security crisis stems from terrorism, not religious persecution, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence.
