The US president says his threat is over killings of Christians - though experts say there is no evidence they are disproportionately targeted.

The move comes after President Donald Trump accused the Nigerian government of not doing enough to protect Christians from violence. He also instructed the Pentagon on Saturday to prepare for possible action in Nigeria and threatened to cut U.S. aid.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria

It’s still unclear what — if anything — the administration will do to counter Islamic militants in Nigeria, but precision drone strikes are among the preliminary options being considered.

"Nigeria is not a hostile country, Nigeria is a partner with the American government," an adviser to the Nigerian government said.

A Nigerian government official says the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump cannot unilaterally carry out any military operation in Nigeria over its claims of Christian persecution in the West African country.

Nigeria is planning to sell $2.3 billion in eurobonds as soon as this week, testing investor appetite for the debt days after US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Islamist militants in the country and sparked a selloff.

President Donald Trump’s recent threat to send troops “guns-a-blazing” to Nigeria to stop the persecution of Christians is exposing tensions inside the administration over how to approach both Abuja and West Africa as a whole.

Trump threatens military action against Nigeria over Christian persecution as Boko Haram survivor Paul Adamu speaks out in support of CPC designation.

First pressuring South Africa, and now threatening Nigeria, President Donald Trump is letting US domestic politics steer his policy on Africa -- boding ill for foreign governments hit with his fury."It is incredibly irresponsible of President Trump to threaten military action,