US Military Drafts Contingency Plans for Possible Strikes on Nigeria Amid “Christian Genocide” Controversy
By Passman Akpos
Washington, D.C. — The United States military has reportedly submitted contingency plans for potential air and missile strikes on Nigeria, following a directive from President Donald Trump to “prepare for possible action” in response to unverified claims of a Christian genocide in the West African nation.
According to The New York Times, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has finalized and forwarded a set of military options to the Department of War earlier this week at the request of Secretary Pete Hegseth. The plans are said to outline a range of responses, from precision airstrikes on alleged militant targets to broader operations aimed at “deterring threats to Christian communities.”
Sources familiar with the classified discussions said the move followed a series of online claims, amplified by right-wing media outlets, alleging that thousands of Christians had been systematically targeted by Nigerian authorities—a claim that international observers and Nigerian officials have dismissed as “false and inflammatory.”
A senior Pentagon official, speaking anonymously, cautioned that “no final decision has been made,” emphasizing that the planning is “precautionary and exploratory.” However, the official noted that Trump’s directive reflects his administration’s “zero-tolerance stance toward religious persecution globally.”
In Abuja, the Nigerian government has yet to issue a formal statement, but diplomatic sources suggest that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking urgent clarification through the U.S. Embassy.
Security experts warn that any U.S. military strike on Nigerian soil could have severe diplomatic and regional repercussions, potentially destabilizing West Africa and damaging bilateral relations between the two countries.
“This is a dangerous escalation based on misinformation,” said Dr. Kemi Falode, an international relations analyst at the University of Lagos. “Nigeria is not at war with its Christian population. Such actions, if taken, would undermine sovereignty and inflame tensions across the continent.”
As of press time, neither the White House nor AFRICOM has publicly confirmed or denied the New York Times report.
