The United States (US) military has reportedly developed contingency plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria following an order by President Donald Trump directing the Pentagon to "prepare to intervene" to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.
According to a report by The New York Times on Wednesday, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) presented several operational options to the Department of War in response to a directive from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The plans, sources said, were drawn up under Trump’s instruction to consider military action in Nigeria’s conflict zones.
Officials familiar with the discussions revealed that the proposals were divided into "heavy," "medium," and "light" engagement levels.
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 strongholds in northern Nigeria.
The "medium option" envisions using MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for precision strikes on insurgent camps, vehicles, and supply convoys, with US intelligence support ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
The "light option" focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics assistance, and limited joint operations with Nigerian security forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks.
Despite these contingency plans, senior Pentagon officials reportedly admit that limited strikes or drone operations alone are unlikely to end Nigeria’s protracted insurgency unless the US commits to a full-scale campaign, an option not currently under consideration in Washington.
The report comes days after Trump threatened to deploy American forces to Nigeria if what he described as "a genocide against Christians" continues, however, the Nigerian government swiftly dismissed his comments as unfounded.
In a related development, China on Tuesday voiced support for Nigeria, condemning what it described as foreign interference disguised as religious concern.
"As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as a pretext to interfere in other nations’ internal affairs," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in Beijing.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Wednesday rejected its inclusion on the US list of countries violating religious freedom, saying the designation was based on "inaccurate and misleading data."
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist attacks.
"The government disputes claims of targeted persecution. Since 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has neutralised over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages. Nigeria remains open to counterterrorism collaboration but insists on mutual respect for sovereignty," Idris said.
Later on Wednesday, Trump reiterated his position, warning that the US "will not stand by" while Christians are attacked abroad.
"Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world," he said.
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