By Charles Pemu 
WASHINGTON/ABUJA—The mounting diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and the United States reached a perilous new stage following reports that the US military has drawn up specific contingency plans for potential airstrikes within Nigeria. This dramatic step was taken after President Donald Trump directly ordered the Pentagon to prepare for intervention to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.
According to a detailed report published by The New York Times on Wednesday, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) presented a range of operational options to the Department of War, fulfilling a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth to align military plans with the President’s directive.
Military officials familiar with the deliberations disclosed that the proposals outline varying levels of US engagement, categorized as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light” scenarios:
- Maximum Force: The “heavy option” involves deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea. This would be supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers tasked with hitting militant targets deep inside northern Nigeria.
- Targeted Drone Operations: The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes against insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles. This would rely heavily on US intelligence support for precise and timely attacks.
- Joint Support: The “light option” focuses on deepening cooperation through intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces specifically aimed at combating Boko Haram and other Islamist groups linked to mass killings and abductions.
Despite the advanced planning, top US defense officials reportedly harbor doubts that limited strikes would resolve Nigeria’s long-standing insurgency, cautioning that only a full-scale campaign, similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan, would have a significant impact—an approach currently lacking support in Washington.
Abuja Rejects Allegations, China Pledges Support
The prospect of US military action has intensified the global reaction:
- Nigeria Denies Persecution: Information Minister Mohammed Idris forcefully rejected the US designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), arguing the decision stems from “inaccurate data and misrepresentation” of the nation’s security challenges. Idris maintained that Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution, noting that the Tinubu administration has neutralized over 13,500 militants since 2023. He stressed that Nigeria seeks collaboration on counterterrorism but demands mutual respect for its sovereignty.
- China Opposes Interference: Nigeria’s strategic partner, China, entered the fray by strongly condemning foreign interference. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning declared that Beijing “firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force.”
President Trump further escalated the rhetoric late Wednesday evening, reiterating his readiness to intervene if the alleged persecution of Christians continues, asserting that the US stands “ready, willing, and able” to protect the Christian population worldwide.
The ongoing developments highlight a profound diplomatic and security crisis for Nigeria, thrusting the country into the center of a tense international debate over sovereignty and military intervention.