US Military has reportedly drafted airstrike plans for Nigeria amid rising diplomatic tensions.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the United States military has reportedly drafted contingency plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria, following an order from President Donald Trump instructing the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” in response to alleged attacks on Christians by terrorist groups.
According to a report by The New York Times on Wednesday, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has presented several operational strategies to the Department of War, after Secretary Pete Hegseth requested detailed plans consistent with Trump’s directive.
Military sources cited by the publication said the proposals were classified into three levels of engagement — “heavy,” “medium,” and “light.”
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Under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets and long-range bombers to conduct precision strikes on insurgent targets in northern Nigeria.
The “medium option” involves the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted attacks on insurgent camps, logistics hubs, and vehicles. The plan relies heavily on U.S. intelligence coordination to ensure “precise and timely” operations.
Meanwhile, the “light option” focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian security forces against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other extremist factions responsible for mass killings and abductions.
However, top Pentagon officials reportedly warned that limited drone strikes or air operations alone would be insufficient to end Nigeria’s long-running insurgency without a large-scale campaign — a step no one in Washington currently supports.
The report follows President Trump’s earlier threat to deploy American military forces to Nigeria if the alleged persecution of Christians continues. The Bola Tinubu administration has rejected Trump’s claim, describing it as inaccurate and misleading.
In a related development, China declared its support for Nigeria on Tuesday, opposing what it described as “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 nations’ internal affairs,”
said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press briefing in Beijing.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the U.S. religious freedom designation, stressing that the country’s challenges stem from terrorism, not religion.
“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,” Idris said.
“Nigeria remains open to U.S. collaboration on counterterrorism while emphasising mutual respect for sovereignty.”
On Wednesday evening, President Trump reiterated his warning, 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 save our great Christian population around the world.”
The situation has further strained U.S.–Nigeria diplomatic relations, fueling debate in Washington over whether the United States should take military action in defense of religious groups abroad.
