Reports have emerged that the United States military drawing up contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria.
This is following the directive from President Donald Trump to the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorist attacks, The New York Times have said.
A report Wednesday, disclosed that the US Africa Command has submitted a number of operational options to the Department of Defense in response to a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth to develop plans consistent with Trump’s orders.
The New York Times reports that the proposals detailed different levels of the planned military engagement in Nigeria to include ‘heavy, medium, and light’ interventions.
“The ‘heavy’ option would involve deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, accompanied by fighter jets or long-range bombers capable of striking militant targets deep in northern Nigeria.
“The “medium” option would deploy MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones to carry out targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles. These operations would be coordinated with U.S. intelligence to ensure “precise and timely” attacks, the report said.
“The “light” option will entail intelligence sharing, logistical support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces to counter Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and attacks on churches,” teh New York Times reported.