The U.S. cannot unilaterally carry out any military operation in Nigeria over its claims of Christian persecution in the West African country, a Nigerian presidential spokesman told The Associated Press Sunday.

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

Former senator and activist Shehu Sani has spoken out against any foreign military action in Nigeria after US President Donald Trump suggested such a step

Earlier, U.S. lawmaker Riley M. Moore called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take decisive diplomatic action against the Nigerian government over what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in the country.

Northern Nigeria has endured years of insecurity as jihadist groups and armed criminals terrorise communities, forcing thousands to flee their homes. A recent social media post claims to show a video of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in a north-central Nigerian state with seized military assets.

Nigeria said on Sunday (November 2) it would welcome U.S. help in fighting Islamist insurgents as long as its territorial integrity is respected, responding to threats of military action by President Donald Trump over what he said was the ill treatment of Christians in the West African country.