THE United States military has reportedly developed operational plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s directive to the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” over alleged persecution of Christians in the country, The New York Times revealed on Thursday.
According to the report, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) submitted a range of military options to the Department of Defense after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requested actionable strategies in line with Trump’s order.
Senior military officials, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, disclosed that the proposed missions were drafted under three operational frameworks: heavy, medium, and light options.
Under the heavy option, Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, with support from fighter jets or long-range bombers to strike insurgent targets deep inside northern Nigeria including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) hideouts.
The medium option involves the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones to conduct precision strikes on militant camps, supply routes and vehicle convoys. The strikes would be intelligence-driven and monitored in real time to “ensure precise and timely execution.”
The light option centers on intelligence sharing, security logistics, and joint counterterrorism missions with Nigerian forces — a less direct approach but one still capable of applying pressure on extremist groups.
Despite the development, top U.S. defense officials reportedly expressed skepticism that limited airstrikes alone would significantly degrade insurgent groups that have terrorized Nigeria for over a decade.
They warned that a full military campaign similar to those launched in Iraq and Afghanistan—would be required to ensure lasting impact, and “no one in Washington is willing to go that far.”
Trump’s pressure on Nigeria escalated after his repeated public warnings about what he described as “genocide against Christians” in the country, and his threat to intervene militarily.
However, Nigeria’s Federal Government has emphatically rejected the accusations.
On Wednesday, Information Minister Mohammed Idris insisted that Nigeria does not sanction religious persecution, saying extremists have attacked both Muslims and Christians alike.
“The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution. Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious warfare,” Idris said.
He added that more than 13,500 militants have been neutralised and 11,000 hostages rescued since 2023.
Idris said while Nigeria welcomes U.S. partnership in counterterrorism, “sovereignty must remain paramount.”
Meanwhile, China declared full diplomatic backing for Nigeria.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning criticized any use of religion or human rights as pretexts for military interference in another nation.
“China firmly opposes threats of sanctions or force against sovereign countries,” she said in Beijing.
In a social media post Wednesday evening, Trump reiterated that he was prepared to act unilaterally if the violence persisted:
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian Population around the world!”