The U.S. military is reportedly preparing plans for a possible operation in Nigeria, despite strong opposition from President Bola Tinubu’s government. Defense sources cited by The New York Times say three options are under consideration: light, medium, and heavy.
The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Nigeria has failed to protect Christians from violent attacks by armed groups, calling the situation a “genocide.”
Last week, Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and threatened possible military action. “If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists,” he said. Trump added that the Department of War is preparing for a “fast, vicious, and sweet” response.
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The light option would involve U.S. support for Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other insurgents, without the help of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The medium option could include drone strikes on militant camps and convoys, though nearby drone bases in Niger are now occupied by Russian forces. The heavy option would deploy a U.S. aircraft carrier group in the Gulf of Guinea, backed by fighter jets and long-range bombers.
U.S. Congressman Riley Moore criticized the Nigerian government, saying, “This is the persecution and ethnic cleansing of Christians in Nigeria by Islamic extremists. The government of Nigeria is to blame for turning a blind eye.”
President Tinubu has denied targeting Christians. His spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the president is “well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America.” China also expressed support for Nigeria, opposing foreign interference or threats of sanctions.