US Military Draws Up Plans to Strike Nigeria Over “Christian Persecution” Claims

The US military has drawn up contingency plans for potential strikes in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s directive to prepare for possible action amid claims of widespread Christian persecution. According to a report by *The New York Times*, the plans were submitted by the US Africa Command to the Department of War at the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this week.

The proposals outline three possible approaches—heavy, medium, and light—each offering different levels of escalation. The “heavy option” represents the most forceful response, involving the deployment of an aircraft carrier group to the Gulf of Guinea and potential air strikes using fighter jets or long-range bombers against targets in northern Nigeria. The “medium option” focuses on drone strikes against militant camps, bases, and convoys, while the “light option” centres on working with Nigerian forces to target Islamist insurgents such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Military officials said the plans aim to protect Christians in northern Nigeria and weaken jihadist groups that have carried out killings, kidnappings, and attacks for over a decade. However, some within the military have raised concerns that such interventions could mirror the difficulties faced in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retired Major General Paul Eaton warned that a campaign in Nigeria could “cause more confusion than control,” likening it to “pounding a pillow.”

The development follows President Trump’s announcement last week that he had designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of permitting “the mass slaughter of Christians.” He also suspended arms sales and technical support to Nigeria, saying the United States “cannot stand by while Christianity faces an existential threat.”

Despite these accusations, Nigerian officials have denied that Christians are being systematically targeted, citing the complex mix of ethnic, religious, and territorial disputes that drive violence in the country’s north and central regions. Attacks by extremist groups have affected both Muslims and Christians, with high-profile bombings of mosques and churches over the years.

The feasibility of US military action remains uncertain. The Pentagon faces logistical hurdles, including limited carrier availability and the loss of nearby drone bases in Niger, which were evacuated in August and are now under Russian control. Current US drone operations would have to launch from distant bases in southern Europe or Djibouti, significantly complicating response times.

Meanwhile, the “light option,” which would rely on coordination with Nigerian security forces, is also constrained by the earlier closure of USAID operations in Abuja after the administration dissolved the agency. Several US defense officials told *The New York Times* that deploying large-scale forces to West Africa is not considered a national security priority, and any operation in Nigeria would face significant political and operational challenges.

As the Department of War reviews the Africa Command’s proposals, the administration faces growing scrutiny at home and abroad over the implications of a military campaign in Nigeria—a move that could reshape US engagement in West Africa and strain relations with one of the region’s largest democracies.