The United States military has reportedly prepared contingency plans for potential strikes on Nigeria, following a directive from President Donald Trump to ready options for action over what many experts describe as a false claim of Christian genocide.
According to Premium Times Nigeria, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has submitted its proposed plans to the U.S. Department of Defense — also referred to as the “Department of War” in the leaked memo — after a request by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The Three Proposed Options
Sources cited by the report indicate that AFRICOM outlined three operational pathways:
Heavy Option: Deployment of a U.S. Navy carrier group to the Gulf of Guinea and potential long-range strikes inside northern Nigeria.
Medium Option: Use of drone strikes against militant camps and proxy groups in northern regions.
Light Option: Partner-enabled operations with Nigerian forces, allowing limited U.S. involvement while maintaining Nigerian control on the ground.
While these plans remain classified and hypothetical, they have reportedly been sent to Washington for final review.
The Nigerian government has firmly rejected Trump’s allegations of a “Christian genocide,” calling the narrative false and inflammatory. Officials argue that ongoing violence in Nigeria affects both Muslims and Christians, and is driven largely by terrorism, banditry, and farmer-herder conflicts — not religious persecution.
A government statement released on Sunday emphasized that Nigeria “will never tolerate any violation of its sovereignty” and that it welcomes international partnership only within the bounds of mutual respect and legality.
Trump’s remarks have stirred major global debate. U.S. allies in Africa, as well as the African Union, have urged caution, warning that unilateral military action could destabilize the region further.
Experts have also questioned the credibility of Trump’s genocide claims, citing the absence of verified evidence.
Security analysts note that while Nigeria faces serious human rights and security challenges, labeling the situation as “genocide” is misleading and politically charged.
If carried out, such a move would mark one of the most significant U.S. military interventions in Africa’s modern history — and could strain ties with one of the continent’s most powerful nations.
Nigeria is currently a key U.S. partner in the fight against terrorism, particularly against Boko Haram and Islamic State-linked groups operating in the Sahel.
Observers warn that escalating rhetoric from Washington may undermine ongoing cooperation and worsen regional tensions.
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📌 Source: Premium Times Nigeria | Time | Politico | Al Jazeera
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