Donald Trump
Picnews
The US military has drafted plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria following President Donald Trump’s directive to prepare for possible action against Islamist insurgents. According to reports, the plans were submitted by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) to the Department of War, outlining three options for military intervention.
The options include a “heavy” approach, which would involve deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea, off the Nigerian coast, to launch fighter jets or long-range bombers targeting militant strongholds deep inside northern Nigeria. However, military officials consider this option highly impractical due to logistical challenges and potential risks.
A “medium” option proposes using drone strikes against suspected militant camps, convoys, and vehicles in northern Nigeria. US Predator and Reaper drones can loiter for hours, gathering intelligence on movement patterns before striking. Nevertheless, this plan faces significant logistical obstacles, including the US military’s withdrawal from drone bases in Agadez and Niamey, Niger, which are now occupied by Russian forces.
The “light” option focuses on partner-enabled missions, where US and Nigerian forces would collaborate to target Boko Haram and other Islamist groups. Washington would provide intelligence, logistics, and limited operational support to Nigeria’s military. This approach is seen as more feasible, but experts warn that even limited US involvement risks entangling Washington in Nigeria’s complex security crisis.
Military officials and analysts have expressed concerns about the potential consequences of these plans. They argue that limited airstrikes or drone operations would not effectively end Nigeria’s decades-long insurgency unless the US embarks on a full-scale campaign similar to those in Iraq or Afghanistan. Such an operation would require significant resources and personnel, and it’s unclear if the US is prepared to commit to such an effort.
The Nigerian government has welcomed US assistance in targeting Islamist insurgents but emphasized the need to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The situation is further complicated by the fact that the violence in Nigeria is not solely driven by religious differences but also by factors such as land use, tenure, and corruption.
As the US Department of War evaluates AFRICOM’s recommendations, global attention turns to how far Trump will go in translating rhetoric into action. Analysts say this approach could give Washington a flexible tool to pressure Nigerian militants while avoiding the costs and optics of a large troop deployment. However, the closure of key US drone bases in Niger, now occupied by Russian forces, complicates this strategy.
Source -Punch
