Breaking: United States Reportedly Drafts Military Intervention Strategy For Nigeria Amid Rising Insecurity

Fresh reports from Washington suggest that the United States military has drawn up intervention plans for Nigeria, following remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that a “Christian genocide” is underway in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Trump, in a statement on Sunday, alleged that “thousands of Christians” were being killed by “radical Islamists,” warning that Christianity was facing “an existential threat in Nigeria.”

According to U.S. defence sources, Trump immediately ordered the Pentagon to prepare military response options to address the alleged atrocities.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump declared.
He then instructed the U.S. Armed Forces to “prepare a plan for intervention.”

In response, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly directed the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to submit a range of possible actions, classified into three escalating options: light, medium, and heavy.

Newly appointed AFRICOM commander Gen. Dagvin R. M. Anderson is expected to visit Nigeria next month in what was initially described as a “routine engagement,” though officials now say the trip may take on added significance.

Option 1 – “Light” Intervention

The first plan, described as a partner-enabled operation, would involve U.S. military and State Department support for Nigerian forces to target Boko Haram and other Islamist militants responsible for years of attacks, kidnappings, and killings in the North.

However, the plan faces challenges — including the recent closure of USAID’s Abuja office and the complex nature of Nigeria’s northern conflict, which blends religious, ethnic, and land-use tensions aggravated by corruption and decades-long disputes between farmers and herders.

Option 2 – “Medium” Intervention

The second option includes drone strikes on terrorist camps, bases, and convoys in northern Nigeria using Predator and Reaper drones.

These unmanned aircraft can linger over targets for hours and carry precision munitions. But complications have arisen after the U.S. vacated its two drone bases in Niger — Agadez and Niamey — in August, now reportedly occupied by Russian forces.

With those bases gone, the closest possible U.S. launch points are southern Europe or Djibouti, significantly reducing operational flexibility.

While neighbouring West African nations may offer basing rights to curry favour with Washington, such a move could trigger diplomatic tension with Nigeria, which insists that any foreign assistance must respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Option 3 – “Heavy” Intervention

The third and most aggressive option proposes deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, with fighter jets and long-range bombers conducting strikes deep inside northern Nigeria.

However, this scenario is considered logistically and politically complex, given the U.S. Navy’s current commitments — including the redeployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean for anti-drug operations, and other carriers stationed in the Pacific and Middle East.

According to multiple Pentagon sources, such a deployment was not considered a U.S. national security priority as recently as last week, but Trump’s recent directive has brought the possibility under renewed discussion.

The Nigerian government, for its part, has expressed willingness to cooperate with the U.S. in combating terrorism but has stressed that any action must not violate Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty.