By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The US military has reportedly drawn up contingency plans for potential strikes on Nigeria.
This comes after President Donald Trump directed the military to prepare for possible action in response to claims of Christian genocide in the country.
The New York Times revealed this in a report titled “US Military Draws Up Nigeria Plans, With Limited Options to Quell Violence”, published on Wednesday.
The report states that the US Africa Command formulated its plans and submitted them to the Department of War this week, following a request from Secretary Pete Hegseth.
According to the report, the contingency plan from the African Command includes three options: light, medium, and heavy.
Military officials told the New York Times that the “heavy option” represents the most forceful military response the US could take against Nigeria.
President Trump, last Friday, designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, citing claims of Christians being massacred.
He subsequently placed the US Department of War on red alert, warning that if the Nigerian government fails to curb the killing of Christians, the US military will strike.