WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States military is reportedly developing contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria, a measure prompted by a directive from President Donald Trump to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians facing terrorist attacks, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
The planning effort comes as President Trump threatened to send US forces into Nigeria with a “guns-a-blazing” campaign if the nation’s government does not stem the violence described as the killing of Christians by Islamists.
Pentagon Submits Three Levels of Engagement
In response to a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) submitted a series of operational options to the Department of Defense. Officials familiar with the plans, characterized as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light,” detailed varying scopes of potential US military action within Nigeria:
| Option | Primary Components | Focus |
| Heavy | Aircraft Carrier Strike Group, Fighter Jets, Long-Range Bombers | Deep strikes against militant targets in northern Nigeria. |
| Medium | MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator Drones | Targeted airstrikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles, coordinated with US intelligence. |
| Light | Intelligence Sharing, Logistical Support, Joint Operations | Assistance to Nigerian forces to counter Boko Haram and other Islamist groups. |
Senior Pentagon officials reportedly assess that limited airstrikes or drone operations are unlikely to end the protracted Nigerian insurgency unless the U.S. commits to a full-scale campaign, an approach currently not favored by Washington.
Trump Declares “Existential Threat”
Trade Hive Afrika Initiative earlier reported The military preparation following President Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over the killings of Christians, which he described as a “mass slaughter.”
In statements released Saturday, including one on Truth Social, Trump escalated his rhetoric, asserting: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
He directly threatened the Nigerian government, stating that if the killings continue, the U.S. would “immediately stop all aid and assistance” and “may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists.” He concluded by instructing the “Department of War to prepare for possible action.”
Tinubu Defends Nigeria’s Religious Tolerance
Responding to the threats and the US designation, Nigerian President Tinubu issued a personally signed statement on Saturday, firmly dismissing claims that Nigeria is hostile toward Christians and insisting on the nation’s commitment to religious freedom.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality… Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” President Tinubu stated.
He highlighted that his administration, since 2023, has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while addressing security challenges that affect citizens across all faiths.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen cooperation on protecting communities of all faiths,” Tinubu concluded, asserting that protecting citizens of all faiths is a constitutional guarantee.
I hope Trump follows through with this commitment.
God is really answering our prayers!! what God cannot do doesn’t really exist.
Who would have thought,
This can only be God!!