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. Trump and Nigeria's leader, Bola Tinubu must first agree on such a military operation if one were to be carried out, Nigerian presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala said. Trump said on Saturday that he has ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution in the country, whose population is almost equally divided between Muslims and Christians. Nigerian officials said the country's laws respect all religions.
