The US military has designed plans for intervention in Nigeria over allegations of “Christian genocide” following an order from President Donald Trump directing the Pentagon to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christians from terrorists’ attacks, according to The New York Times.
According to the report published on Wednesday, Trump claimed that thousands of Christians are being killed by radical Islamists, stating, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
The plans, which include light, medium, and heavy options, were ordered by Trump and are intended to be escalatory.
The light option involves partner-enabled operations, where the US military and State Department would support Nigerian forces in targeting Boko Haram and other Islamic insurgents.
Persecondnews reports that The “medium option” proposes the use of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator drones for targeted strikes on insurgent camps, convoys, and vehicles.
The drones would operate with U.S. intelligence support to ensure “precise and timely” attacks, the report added.
The “light option,” on the other hand, focuses on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and joint operations with Nigerian forces against Boko Haram and other Islamist groups accused of mass killings, abductions, and church attacks.
Trump warned that any attack would be “fast, vicious, and sweet,” saying, “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”
He also threatened to halt aid to Nigeria, stating, “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria”.
The medium option includes drone strikes on militant camps and bases, while the heavy option involves deploying an aircraft carrier group and fighters to conduct strikes in northern Nigeria.
However, military officials say that deploying an aircraft carrier to the Gulf of Guinea is not a current national security priority.
Nigerian government through the Ministry of Information and Orientation has expressed willingness to accept US assistance, but with the condition that its sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.
The government rejected claims of Christian genocide, emphasizing its constitutional protection of all citizens.
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