The U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reportedly delivered a set of contingency plans to the Department of War outlining a range of military strikes against Nigeria.
The action was requested by Secretary Pete Hegseth after President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare for potential action over what he termed the mass killing of Christians in the West African nation, an accusation strongly denied by the Nigerian government.
President Trump’s recent declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and his threat of unilateral U.S. military action have put a strain on diplomatic ties with Nigeria. The Nigerian government insists that its security crisis, involving groups like Boko Haram and armed bandits, is not a targeted religious genocide but a complex issue involving ethnic, cultural, and land-use conflicts that affect both Muslims and Christians.
The reported plans offer the administration three tiers of response; heavy, medium, and light. The heavy option is described as the most forceful, involving both air and ground operations. However, this option is constrained by the limited aircraft carrier availability of the U.S. Navy, because key assets have already been deployed elsewhere.
The “medium option” relies on drone strikes, which face logistical difficulties following the withdrawal of U.S. drone capabilities from Niger.
The Light option, focuses on partner-enabled operations, where the U.S. supports existing Nigerian security forces with counter-insurgency strategies.
Retired Army veteran Paul Eaton strongly advised against military action, telling The New York Times that these actions would likely cause “shock and confusion” rather than resolve the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has maintained its position that the violence affects all groups and that the claims of genocide are false.
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