The United States Military is reportedly drafting attack plans for possible military action in Nigeria, following a threat from President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters recently, Trump indicated that the U.S military’s Nigeria airstrike plans and/or the deployment of ground troops “could be” used to intervene in Nigeria, citing what he called the “killing of large numbers of Christians.”
Following Trump’s remarks, the U.S military was said to have begun work immediately on drafting an attack plan for Nigeria.
According to a report by The New York Times, the U.S. Africa Command had already presented multiple attack plans to the Department of War for Nigeria.
The report claimed that U.S Africa Command presented the options after a request was made by Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth is said to be exploring attack options for Nigeria to align with Trump’s directive, which is to crush “bad elements.”
Sources quoted by the media organisation said that the proposals—categorised as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—outlined varying levels of engagement in Nigeria.
According to the report, the proposed attack plans for Nigeria included three options.
The “heavy option” would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers to hit militant targets deep inside northern Nigeria, the report said.
The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles.
The drones would operate with U.S. intelligence support to ensure “precise and timely” attacks, the report added.
The “light option,” on the other hand, focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks.
Despite the planning, top Pentagon officials reportedly concede that limited airstrikes or drone operations are unlikely to end Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency unless the U.S. launches a full-scale campaign similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan—an approach no one in Washington is currently advocating.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that this is coming after Trump had threatened to deploy American military forces to Nigeria if the alleged genocide against Christians was not stopped, but the Bola Tinubu government refuted the claim in its entirety.
Also, Information Minister Mohammed Idris, on Wednesday, insisted that Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist violence.
He stated: “The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution. 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 while emphasising mutual respect for sovereignty,” he said.
The minister added that Nigeria continues to prioritise national security and “the protection of all citizens regardless of religious affiliation.”
The development has also attracted the attention of the global community with China declaring its support for Nigeria, saying it opposes any foreign interference under the guise of religion or human rights.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference in Beijing.
