The United States military has finalized and submitted contingency plans to President Donald Trump for possible strikes in Nigeria, following the President’s directive to the Pentagon to prepare intervention options over alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
Multiple reports from Daily Trust, The Washington Post, and Reuters confirm that the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has completed a classified draft outlining several possible military scenarios — ranging from limited drone operations to full-scale combat involvement.
According to sources familiar with the proposals, AFRICOM’s submission includes three levels of potential engagement: light, medium, and heavy. The light option recommends intelligence cooperation, drone surveillance, and logistic support to the Nigerian Armed Forces, avoiding direct U.S. combat. The medium option suggests precision drone strikes on identified terrorist camps and convoy routes in Northern Nigeria, while the heavy option envisions the deployment of a U.S. carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea — capable of launching fighter jets and long-range bombers deep into Nigerian territory.
This development follows President Trump’s earlier statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities, vowing that the United States “will not stand by while Christians are slaughtered.” He added that he had directed the Department of Defense “to draw up and deliver immediate plans to act if necessary.”
However, the Nigerian government has rejected what it calls a “misleading and politically motivated” narrative, insisting that the violence in parts of the country is not driven by religion.
“Nigeria is not a religiously intolerant country,” the Presidency said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our government is actively combating terrorism and criminality in all regions. Any foreign intervention must respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the U.S. plans as “deeply concerning,” warning that any unilateral military action would “amount to a declaration of hostility.”
Security experts say the Pentagon’s proposals — though not yet approved — indicate that the Trump administration is seriously considering coercive options. They warn that any form of U.S. strike, without Nigeria’s consent, could ignite diplomatic and regional crises.
“The reality is that the U.S. lost its key drone bases in Niger, so executing these plans would require fresh basing deals along the West African coast or carrier deployment,” said a defense analyst based in London. “But the mere existence of the draft signals how far Washington is willing to go under Trump’s order.”
The development has already drawn global reactions. China urged restraint and called for dialogue, cautioning Washington against “interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs.” France, on the other hand, has remained silent despite its historical influence in the region.
Observers believe the situation may have broader implications beyond religion, linking it to America’s geopolitical contest with China and its desire to re-establish a military footprint in West Africa following its forced withdrawal from Niger.
As diplomatic engagements intensify, Nigeria’s leadership faces a delicate balancing act — defending its sovereignty while avoiding escalation with one of its key security and trade partners.
For now, the U.S. strike plans remain on President Trump’s desk — awaiting his final decision on whether to activate what could become one of the most controversial military actions in Africa’s recent history.
— Abuja Network News