US military plans airstrikes in Nigeria after Trump’s directive to protect Christians, raising tension and diplomatic pushback from China and Abuja
US Military Plans Airstrikes in Nigeria have raised diplomatic tensions after President Donald Trump reportedly directed the Pentagon to prepare intervention measures to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.
Also read: Nnamdi Kanu letter urges Trump to probe south east killings
According to The New York Times, the U.S. Africa Command has presented contingency plans to the Department of War, following Trump’s order to “prepare to intervene” amid allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
The operational proposals, described as “heavy,” “medium,” and “light,” outline varying levels of military engagement.
Under the heavy option, Washington would deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, with fighter jets or long-range bombers striking militant targets in northern Nigeria.
The medium option recommends the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles, supported by real-time U.S. intelligence.
Meanwhile, the light option focuses on logistics support, intelligence sharing, and limited joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and allied Islamist groups accused of mass killings and church attacks.
However, senior Pentagon sources cited by the paper admit that limited airstrikes or drone missions are unlikely to end Nigeria’s protracted insurgency unless the U.S. launches a full-scale campaign—an option not currently under serious consideration in Washington.
The US military plans airstrikes in Nigeria follow Trump’s earlier statement threatening military action if the alleged genocide against Christians continues.
The Bola Tinubu administration swiftly dismissed those claims, calling them “inaccurate and politically motivated.”
Reacting on Wednesday, China backed Nigeria, warning against what it called “foreign interference under the guise of religion or human rights.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated in Beijing, “China firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as an excuse to interfere in another nation’s internal affairs.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, also rejected the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a country violating religious freedom.
He insisted that the nation’s insecurity stems from terrorism, not religious persecution, noting that “both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist attacks.”
He added that President Tinubu’s government has “neutralised over 13,500 militants and rescued more than 11,000 hostages” since 2023, reiterating that Nigeria remains committed to cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism while defending its sovereignty.
Late on Wednesday, Trump doubled down on his position, declaring: “Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening there. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
Also read: Nnamdi Kanu letter urges Trump to probe south east killings
The US military plans airstrikes in Nigeria mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric, rekindling debate in Washington about America’s role in foreign religious conflicts and fuelling fears of another drawn-out military engagement in Africa.
Source: Read more at gazettengr.com
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
