The United States military has reportedly drawn up contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria following a directive from President Donald Trump ordering the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorist attacks, The New York Times has reported.
According to the publication, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has presented several operational options to the Department of War after Secretary Pete Hegseth requested plans aligned with Trump’s instruction.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the proposals were divided into three categories heavy, medium, and light representing varying levels of military engagement.
Under the “heavy” option, the U.S. would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, with fighter jets and long-range bombers targeting militant strongholds deep within northern Nigeria.
The “medium” option involves the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for precision strikes against insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles. These operations would be supported by U.S. intelligence assets to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
The “light” option focuses on intelligence sharing, logistical support, and joint operations with Nigerian security forces in their fight against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks.
However, senior Pentagon officials reportedly admitted that limited strikes or drone operations alone are unlikely to end Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency without a broader campaign comparable to US interventions in Iraq or Afghanistan, an approach that Washington is not currently considering.
Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that President Trump had threatened to deploy American troops to Nigeria if the alleged genocide against Christians continued. The Nigerian government, however, firmly denied the claim.
Meanwhile, China has voiced its opposition to any potential US military action.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as an excuse to interfere in other nations’ internal affairs or threaten them with sanctions or force,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Responding to the US designation of Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, rejected the classification, describing it as based on “inaccurate data and misrepresentation” of the country’s security situation.
“The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution,” Idris stated. “Since 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has neutralised over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages. Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution, and both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence.”
He reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remains open to U.S. collaboration on counterterrorism efforts, provided it is grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.
On Wednesday evening, President Trump reiterated his stance, saying,
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities continue. We stand ready, willing, and able to defend our great Christian population around the world.”
The latest developments have further heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja, reigniting debates in the U.S. over the country’s role in religiously motivated conflicts abroad.
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