The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reportedly drawn up contingency plans for potential military strikes in Nigeria following an order from President Donald Trump. The directive, according to reports from The New York Times and The Whistler, instructs the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from what Trump described as terrorist attacks.
AFRICOM is said to have presented multiple operational options to the Pentagon, categorized as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light.” Under the “heavy option,” Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers to target militant bases deep inside northern Nigeria. The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones to carry out targeted strikes on insurgent camps and convoys, while the “light option” focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint counterterrorism operations with Nigerian forces.
Reports suggest that these proposals were prepared following Trump’s public statements accusing the Nigerian government of allowing the persecution of Christians. “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.” He stated that he had instructed the Department of War to prepare “swift and decisive action” if necessary.
In response, the Nigerian government firmly rejected both the claims and the possibility of U.S. military intervention. Information Minister Mohammed Idris clarified that Nigeria’s security challenges stem from terrorism, not religious persecution, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist violence. He added that since 2023, the Tinubu administration has neutralized over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages. “Nigeria remains open to U.S. collaboration on counterterrorism while emphasizing mutual respect for sovereignty,” he said.
Meanwhile, China has declared its support for Nigeria, opposing any form of foreign interference under the pretext of religion or human rights. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated in Beijing that China “firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in another country’s internal affairs or threaten it with sanctions and force.” The European Union also echoed this sentiment, urging diplomatic cooperation rather than confrontation.
Analysts have cautioned that while U.S. airstrikes might disrupt militant operations temporarily, they are unlikely to end Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency unless Washington launches a full-scale campaign similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan, an option no one in Washington is currently advocating. Experts also note that while militant groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have targeted Christian communities, many of their victims are Muslim, raising concerns about the oversimplification of Nigeria’s complex security crisis.
The development has further strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Abuja, as debates continue over the role of the U.S. in foreign religious conflicts and the limits of international intervention in sovereign states.
