U.S. Military Drafts Plans for Possible Action in Nigeria Following Trump’s Directive

U.S. Military Drafts Plans for Possible Action in Nigeria Following Trump’s Directive

The U.S. Africa Command has presented a range of military options to the Pentagon following President Donald Trump’s directive to prepare for potential intervention in Nigeria to protect Christians targeted by Islamist militants.

According to defense officials, the proposals include three levels of engagement — *light, medium,* and *heavy*. The **light option** involves intelligence-sharing and support for Nigerian forces battling Boko Haram and ISIS-affiliated insurgents. The **medium option** would authorize U.S. drone strikes on militant camps, convoys, and vehicles in northern Nigeria using Predator and Reaper drones. The **heavy option** proposes deploying an aircraft carrier group to the Gulf of Guinea to launch deep airstrikes.

However, senior military officials cautioned that any large-scale operation could mirror the prolonged campaigns in Iraq or Afghanistan — efforts no one in Washington appears willing to repeat. “It would be a fiasco,” said retired Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, noting that airstrikes alone would have limited effect.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed Africa Command to refine the plans, though officials acknowledge significant logistical hurdles, including the loss of U.S. drone bases in neighboring Niger to Russian control.

The Nigerian government has welcomed U.S. cooperation against insurgents but insists that any action must respect the country’s sovereignty.