The US military is reportedly preparing contingency plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria, following a directive from President Donald Trump instructing the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorist attacks, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
According to the report, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has submitted a range of operational options to the Department of Defense, in response to an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop plans consistent with the president’s directive.
Officials familiar with the discussions told The New York Times that the proposals—classified as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”—outline varying levels of US military involvement in Nigeria.
The “heavy” option reportedly involves deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers capable of hitting militant targets deep in northern Nigeria.
The “medium” plan would utilize MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones to conduct precision strikes on insurgent camps and vehicles, coordinated with US intelligence to ensure accuracy and minimize collateral damage.
By contrast, the “light” option focuses on intelligence sharing, logistical support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces to combat Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and attacks on churches.
Senior Pentagon officials reportedly cautioned that limited strikes or drone missions would not end Nigeria’s long-running insurgency unless accompanied by a full-scale campaign similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan—an approach Washington is not currently pursuing.
Earlier, The Telegraph quoted Trump as warning that he might send US forces into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the government fails to stop what he called “the killing of Christians by Islamists.”
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Trump’s comments came a day after he designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over what he described as a “mass slaughter” of Christians.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said, adding that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
He also directed Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole to investigate the situation.
Tinubu responds: ‘Citizens’ faiths protected’
Responding on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu dismissed claims that Nigeria is hostile toward Christians, stressing that the country remains committed to religious freedom and tolerance.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it recognise government efforts to safeguard freedom of religion and belief. Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said in a statement he personally signed.
The president added that since 2023, his administration has maintained open engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while addressing security challenges across all regions.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been core tenets of our national identity and shall always remain so,” he said. “Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. Our administration is committed to working with the US government and the international community to deepen cooperation on protecting communities of all faiths.”
