According to reports, U.S. Africa Command has presented multiple operational options to the Department of Defense. These plans were drawn up in response to a request from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to devise strategies that align with Trump’s orders.

Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that the proposals were categorized into three option “heavy,” “medium,” and “light”each representing different levels of U.S. military engagement in Nigeria.


The Heavy Option would involve deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, supported by fighter jets or long-range bombers, to target militant groups deep within northern Nigeria.

The Medium Option plan proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles. These drones would operate with U.S. intelligence support to ensure precise and timely operations.

While The Light Option: The least aggressive option focuses on intelligence-sharing, logistical support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against groups like Boko Haram, which have been linked to mass killings, abductions, and attacks on churches.

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While these plans have been developed, top Pentagon officials have reportedly expressed concerns that limited airstrikes or drone operations would not be sufficient to end Nigeria’s ongoing insurgency. They suggest that only a full-scale military campaign, similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan, might make a significant impact. However, such a large-scale intervention is not currently being considered in Washington.

The situation in Nigeria, and the growing international attention to it, has sparked renewed debate in Washington over the U.S. role in foreign religious conflicts and the potential consequences of military intervention.

Source: Punch