The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has threatened to launch more attacks across Africa if the United States carries out military operations against it in Nigeria, following recent comments reportedly made by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a propaganda message circulated through its usual online channels, ISWAP described Trump as a “reckless American tyrant” and accused him of being influenced by “evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers” during his administration. The group claimed Trump’s alleged plans were part of an attempt by the U.S. to portray itself as a global defender of Christians.
The terrorist organization warned that such actions would only draw America into more conflicts across Africa and other regions. It cited ongoing insurgencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique as examples of how the U.S. might expand its military involvement on the continent.
ISWAP also said that this situation fits into the wider Islamic State strategy to overstretch U.S. forces across several battlefronts — mentioning Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and the Lake Chad Basin as areas where the U.S. could face growing pressure.
In its statement, the group gave new instructions to its members to avoid public gatherings, reduce movement, and limit smartphone use, warning of an expected increase in American drone surveillance and airstrikes. It ended its message by urging Muslims in West Africa to “unite and prepare,” accusing Western nations of “crimes against African Muslims” under the banner of fighting terrorism.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that the U.S. military has prepared several plans for possible action in Nigeria after Trump allegedly directed the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from militant attacks.
According to the report, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) submitted three levels of proposed engagement to the Department of War
The heavy option involves deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, from where U.S. fighter jets and long-range bombers would launch coordinated attacks on militant targets deep inside northern Nigeria. The medium option focuses on carrying out precise drone strikes using MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones to target known insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles, supported by advanced U.S. intelligence systems to ensure accuracy. The light option, on the other hand, centers on providing intelligence sharing, surveillance data, and logistical assistance to Nigerian security forces to enhance joint operations against Boko Haram and other extremist groups operating in the region.
However, U.S. officials reportedly acknowledged that limited strikes or drone operations might not be enough to end Nigeria’s long-running insurgency without a larger military campaign — something Washington is currently not willing to pursue.
In a social media post on Wednesday evening, Trump maintained his strong stance, saying the U.S. “stands ready, willing, and able” to defend Christians facing persecution in Nigeria and other countries.
He wrote: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening there.”
Reacting to the developments, China expressed its support for Nigeria, saying it “stands by the Nigerian government as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”
The situation has sparked international attention and concern over possible escalation in West Africa, where Nigeria continues to battle multiple security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and separatist agitations.
