ISWAP Warns Fighters Amid U.S. Surveillance and Trump’s Alleged Military Plans for Nigeria
ISWAP Warns Fighters Amid U.S. Surveillance and Trump’s Alleged Military Plans for Nigeria
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi | Global Egberi Media International
In a fresh wave of tension rippling across Africa’s security landscape, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has issued a new propaganda message warning its members to avoid public gatherings and limit movements, citing what it called “imminent U.S. drone and surveillance operations” over Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.
The development comes on the heels of reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump had allegedly ordered the Pentagon to draft contingency plans for possible military intervention in Nigeria, ostensibly to protect Christians from ongoing attacks by Islamist militants.
According to The New York Times, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has prepared several operational blueprints, ranging from limited drone strikes to a full-scale air campaign. The options, described as “light,” “medium,” and “heavy,” detail possible scenarios of U.S. engagement — from targeted intelligence sharing with Nigerian forces to deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf of Guinea.
ISWAP’s Reaction and Warning to Its Fighters
In a strongly-worded statement circulated through its usual encrypted channels, ISWAP denounced Trump as a “reckless American tyrant,” claiming he was being manipulated by “evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers.” The terrorist organization accused the U.S. of using religion as a pretext for global domination, portraying itself as a “defender of Christians” while allegedly committing atrocities in Muslim-majority nations.
ISWAP further asserted that any American move to militarily intervene in Nigeria would be part of a broader Western strategy to expand conflicts across Africa. Citing ongoing crises in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the group suggested that the U.S. seeks to “open new battlegrounds” in order to justify its military presence on the continent.
As part of its operational countermeasures, ISWAP instructed its fighters to avoid large crowds, suspend social gatherings, reduce smartphone usage, and maintain vigilance for aerial surveillance activities. The group warned that U.S. drones — including MQ-9 Reapers and Predator aircraft — could soon intensify operations across Northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel.
The U.S. Military’s Strategic Options
Military insiders disclosed that the Pentagon’s “heavy option” involves deploying an aircraft carrier strike group off Nigeria’s coast, with fighter jets and long-range bombers capable of hitting deep insurgent targets.
The “medium option” would center on sustained drone operations, providing real-time reconnaissance and strike capabilities against militant hideouts, camps, and vehicles.
Meanwhile, the “light option” focuses on intelligence and logistics cooperation with Nigerian forces, enabling joint counterterrorism missions against Boko Haram and ISWAP cells.
Despite these preparations, senior defense analysts in Washington admit that no limited strike or surveillance campaign can end Nigeria’s prolonged insurgency without a long-term stabilization plan — a route reminiscent of Iraq and Afghanistan, which the U.S. appears reluctant to pursue again.
Trump’s Controversial Statement and Global Response
In a separate statement, Donald Trump reiterated that his administration was “ready, willing, and able” to intervene militarily if “the genocide against Christians in Nigeria” continued unabated. He declared:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening there, and in numerous other countries.”
This statement has attracted mixed reactions globally. While some conservative Christian groups hailed Trump’s stance as courageous, many African and Middle Eastern analysts criticized it as provocative and neo-imperialistic, warning that such rhetoric could inflame extremist propaganda and justify further violence.
In contrast, China has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Nigerian government, pledging to stand by Nigeria as it “leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions.”
A Broader Geopolitical Underpinning
The latest episode underscores how Nigeria’s internal security challenges — once seen as domestic — have now evolved into international flashpoints. With Nigeria positioned as Africa’s largest democracy and economic power, foreign powers increasingly view the country’s stability as central to regional peace and global security interests.
Security experts argue that any external intervention, especially by the U.S., could radically reshape the counterterrorism dynamics in West Africa — for better or worse. While drone surveillance could weaken militant networks, it could also lead to civilian casualties, local resentment, and a surge in extremist recruitment, if not handled diplomatically.
Conclusion
Nigeria today stands at a delicate crossroads — caught between internal insurgency and external interest. While the ISWAP’s threats and Trump’s remarks dominate headlines, the real challenge remains the same: the need for local solutions, good governance, and coordinated regional efforts to defeat terrorism at its roots.
As global powers watch, and militants prepare for a potential escalation, one truth remains unshaken — Nigeria’s stability is Africa’s strength, and its peace must never be negotiated through external aggression or political grandstanding.
Author:
✍️ Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Academic, Activist & Development Advocate
For Global Egberi Media International
Source: Sahara Reporters
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