The US military has reportedly developed three intervention plans for Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s directive to take action against attacks targeting Christians, according to The New York Times.
Officials said the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) submitted light, medium, and heavy military options to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Washington would cut all aid to Nigeria if killings of Christians continued and hinted at a possible “guns-a-blazing” intervention.
The light plan focuses on joint operations to support Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP. The medium plan involves drone strikes on militant camps, while the heavy plan would deploy aircraft carrier groups and long-range strike assets, though this is seen as unlikely.
Analysts warned that any US operation could have limited impact and might face logistical and diplomatic obstacles.
Nigeria continues to battle insurgencies and communal violence, with over 1,900 attacks on civilians recorded this year, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED).