World
Alleged Christian Genocide: US Military draws up contingency plans for possible strikes on Nigeria
The US military has reportedly submitted contingency plans for potential strikes on Nigeria following directives from President Donald Trump over allegations of mass killings of Christians in the country, a claim strongly denied by the Nigerian government.
According to a New York Times report, the US Africa Command prepared and sent options to the Department of War this week at the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The plan outlines three potential levels of military action: heavy, medium, and light, each allowing for controlled escalation.
The “heavy option” involves deploying an aircraft carrier group to the Gulf of Guinea and using fighter jets or long-range bombers to strike targets deep within northern Nigeria.
The medium option calls for drone strikes on militant camps, convoys, and vehicles, utilizing US intelligence assets to track targets.
The light option focuses on partnership-enabled operations, supporting Nigerian forces to combat Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other Islamist insurgents responsible for attacks across the country.
The primary stated goal of the contingency plan is to protect Christians from armed violence and suppress insurgent activities.
However, US military officials have noted significant challenges in implementing any of the options, citing Nigeria’s complex conflicts, which stem from a mix of religious, cultural, and land disputes affecting both Christians and Muslims.
Retired US Army veteran Paul Eaton told the New York Times that a large-scale military campaign in Nigeria would be akin to an Iraq- or Afghanistan-style operation and could result in confusion rather than resolving the violence.
Practical limitations also hinder the proposed actions.
For the heavy option, deploying an aircraft carrier is difficult due to limited US carrier capacity and other ongoing global commitments.
The medium option is constrained by the absence of nearby drone bases, with the closest bases in Europe or Djibouti.
The light option is affected by the absence of USAID, which was dissolved and shut down in Abuja earlier this year.
The plans come after Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and threatened military action, claiming the administration of President Bola Tinubu allowed the mass slaughter of Christians.
Nigeria’s government has repeatedly denied these claims, asserting that the country remains a constitutional democracy that protects religious freedom across all faiths.
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