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

The secretary of state is responsible for deeming a country a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC). Other countries designated as CPCs include Burma, the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

A Nigerian court warned separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu that he risks losing his right to defend himself against terrorism charges if he does not present a defence by Wednesday in a trial that has become a lightning rod for unrest in the southeast.