U.S military drafts Nigeria airstrike plans after Trump order

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” and protect Christians from terrorist attacks, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has submitted multiple operational plans to the Department of War after a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop options in line with Trump’s order.

Officials familiar with the discussions said the proposals—labelled “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—offer varying degrees of military engagement.

Under the “heavy option,” the U.S. would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, backed by fighter jets or long-range bombers to strike militant targets in northern Nigeria. The “medium option” involves using MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for precision attacks on insurgent camps and convoys, while the “light option” focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other extremist groups.

However, senior Pentagon officials reportedly admitted that limited strikes would not end Nigeria’s insurgency without a broader military campaign like those in Iraq or Afghanistan—something not currently under consideration in Washington.

Trump had earlier threatened to deploy U.S. forces to Nigeria if what he described as “genocide against Christians” continued. The Nigerian government swiftly dismissed the claim as false and misleading.

Meanwhile, China voiced strong opposition to any U.S. intervention, warning against using religion or human rights as pretexts for interference.

“As Nigeria’s strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as excuses to threaten others with sanctions or force,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing.

Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, also rejected the U.S. listing of Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom, saying the country’s security challenges stem from terrorism, not religious persecution.

“The government disputes claims of targeted religious persecution,” Idris stated. “Since 2023, over 13,500 militants have been neutralised and more than 11,000 hostages rescued. Nigeria remains open to counterterrorism cooperation, but on the basis of mutual respect for sovereignty.”

Later on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his stance, declaring that the U.S. “will not stand by while Christians face persecution in Nigeria and other countries.”

The report has heightened diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Washington, sparking fresh debate over U.S. military involvement in foreign religious conflicts.