The United States military has reportedly prepared contingency plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s directive to the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” in defense of Christians allegedly targeted by terrorist attacks, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has presented several operational options to the Department of War at the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth. The proposed strategies—classified as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—outline varying degrees of potential U.S. military engagement in Nigeria.
Under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, backed by fighter jets or long-range bombers for strikes on militant targets in northern Nigeria. The “medium option” focuses on using MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for precision attacks on insurgent bases, convoys, and vehicles, with intelligence support to ensure accuracy.
The “light option” would involve intelligence sharing, logistics coordination, and joint operations with Nigerian security forces targeting Boko Haram and other extremist groups accused of mass killings, kidnappings, and church attacks.
While the Pentagon continues deliberations, senior defense officials reportedly acknowledged that limited airstrikes or drone missions would not resolve Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency without a broader military campaign similar to those waged in Iraq or Afghanistan—an option currently not under consideration in Washington.
Trump’s initial remarks—warning of possible U.S. military intervention if “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria persisted—sparked a strong reaction from the Bola Tinubu administration, which dismissed the claims as false and misleading.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris clarified that Nigeria’s security challenges stem from terrorism, not religious persecution, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of extremist violence.
“The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution,” Idris said. “Since 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has neutralised over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages. Nigeria remains open to U.S. collaboration on counterterrorism, but with full respect for sovereignty.”
In a related development, China expressed support for Nigeria, condemning any form of external interference under the pretext of religion or human rights. “China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other nations’ internal affairs,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing.
Despite global reactions, Trump reiterated his stance on Wednesday evening, declaring, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening. We stand ready, willing, and able to protect our great Christian population around the world.”
The situation has fueled growing diplomatic tension and renewed debate in Washington over the scope of U.S. military involvement in foreign religious and humanitarian crises.
