The United States military has drawn up possible airstrike plans for Nigeria following an instruction from President Donald Trump to prepare for action against terrorist groups accused of attacking Christian communities in the country.
The plans were reportedly developed by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and sent to the Pentagon after a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth. They include three levels of engagement — heavy, medium, and light — based on the degree of military involvement the U.S. government may approve.
The “heavy” plan would involve deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, with fighter jets and bombers targeting terrorist camps across northern Nigeria. The “medium” plan focuses on drone operations using MQ-9 Reapers and Predators for precise strikes, while the “light” plan prioritizes intelligence sharing and training support for Nigerian forces.
Officials familiar with the proposals admit that airstrikes alone would not end the insurgency unless the U.S. committed to a longer ground campaign, which Washington is not currently considering.
President Trump has said that the U.S. will not ignore ongoing attacks on Christians and may act to defend religious minorities globally. However, China has opposed any foreign military involvement, warning that such intervention could violate Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Reacting to the reports, Nigerian presidential aide Daniel Bwala said the country would reject any form of foreign military presence, stressing that its armed forces are capable of tackling internal security threats. He added that while Nigeria welcomes cooperation in intelligence and defense technology, it will not tolerate actions that breach its territorial integrity.
As international attention shifts to Washington, the U.S. faces pressure to decide whether to proceed with the plans. Nigeria continues to call for respect for its sovereignty, while China urges restraint, leaving the next steps uncertain amid rising diplomatic tension.