Washington, D.C. — In a rapidly developing situation, senior United States government officials confirmed late today that the U.S. is actively considering a targeted military strike on Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest, a region long associated with extremist activity in West Africa. The move, described as part of an urgent counterterrorism effort, comes amid fresh intelligence indicating the presence of high-value militant targets operating within the forest.
According to multiple defense and intelligence sources, the potential operation would focus on disrupting networks linked to Boko Haram and its splinter factions, which have used Sambisa Forest as a strategic hideout for more than a decade. Officials emphasized that the discussions remain ongoing and that no final authorization has yet been given by the White House.
A Pentagon spokesperson stated that any action would be “precise, limited in scope, and coordinated closely with regional partners,” underscoring the U.S. commitment to minimizing civilian casualties and respecting Nigerian sovereignty. The Nigerian government has not publicly confirmed its role, but diplomatic sources suggest high-level consultations between Abuja and Washington have intensified over the past 48 hours.
Security analysts say the timing is significant, as recent weeks have seen an uptick in militant attacks across northeastern Nigeria and neighboring countries. “If the intelligence is credible, this would represent a major escalation in U.S. involvement in the region,” said one former counterterrorism official. “Sambisa Forest has symbolic and operational importance for these groups.”
Humanitarian organizations have urged caution, warning that military action could further destabilize communities already affected by years of conflict. Meanwhile, lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are seeking briefings on the legal basis and strategic objectives of a potential strike.
As the situation continues to unfold, both governments remain under intense scrutiny. An official announcement is expected within hours, as global attention turns to whether the United States will proceed with what could be one of its most significant counterterrorism actions in West Africa in recent years.
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