The United States military has reportedly submitted contingency plans for possible strikes on Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s directive to prepare for military action over what he described as the ongoing massacre of Christians in the country.
According to a report by The New York Times on Wednesday, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has already forwarded its operational options to the Department of War at the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The report said the proposed contingency plan includes three escalating military options — heavy, medium, and light — each tailored for controlled engagement and response depending on the evolving situation in Nigeria.
Citing military officials familiar with the classified discussions, The New York Times revealed that the “heavy option” represents the most aggressive approach. It involves deploying an American aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, off Nigeria’s coastline, with fighter jets and long-range bombers capable of targeting deep inside the country’s northern region.
For the “medium option,” AFRICOM reportedly proposed the use of drone warfare, targeting insurgent strongholds, militant convoys, and suspected terrorist bases in northern Nigeria.
“U.S. Predator and Reaper drones have the capacity to loiter for hours, tracking insurgent movements before striking,” the report stated. “Additional U.S. intelligence assets would be deployed to map out target patterns and ensure precision hits.”
Meanwhile, the “light option” centers on joint operations — with the U.S. military providing intelligence, surveillance, and logistical support to Nigerian security forces battling Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militant groups. Under this plan, the U.S. State Department and local partners would coordinate humanitarian relief and counterterrorism efforts.
Top Pentagon sources reportedly told The New York Times that the objective of the plans is to “neutralize Islamist extremists,” safeguard Christian communities, and end the decades-long insurgency that has destabilized northern Nigeria and its neighboring regions.
However, the publication noted that the proposals have sparked internal debate within Washington, with some defense and intelligence officials expressing concerns about the political, humanitarian, and diplomatic fallout of any direct U.S. military intervention in Nigeria.
While the White House has not officially commented on the operational details, the report comes amid renewed tension between both nations following the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged systemic persecution of Christians.
If approved, analysts warn that the move could mark the most significant U.S. military action in sub-Saharan Africa in over a decade, potentially reshaping America’s relations with Africa’s largest democracy.
