The United States military has drawn up contingency plans for possible intervention in northern Nigeria after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to “prepare to act” over alleged attacks on Christians claims Nigerian authorities insist are false.
According to The New York Times, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has submitted three levels of operational proposals heavy, medium, and light to the Department of War at the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Under the heavy option, an aircraft carrier strike group would be deployed to the Gulf of Guinea, with fighter jets or long-range bombers targeting sites in northern Nigeria.
The medium option involves drone strikes using MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator aircraft on suspected militant camps and convoys.
The light option centers on intelligence sharing, logistics, and joint counterterrorism operations with Nigerian forces.
Military officials caution that limited airstrikes alone would not end Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency without a large-scale Iraq-style campaign, an approach Washington is unwilling to pursue.
Trump, however, has reiterated that the U.S. is “ready, willing, and able” to respond if the alleged persecution of Christians continues.
Meanwhile, China has voiced firm support for Nigeria, warning against the use of religion or human rights as pretexts for interference in other nations’ internal affairs.
Recall that presidential aide Daniel Bwala dismissed Trump’s claims as baseless, insisting there is no evidence of state-backed religious genocide and urging Washington to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“What Nigeria needs is intelligence and equipment, not foreign boots on its soil,” Bwala said.
