US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Nigeria, accusing the government of allowing the killing of Christians.

He vowed to stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and take military action to “completely wipe out Islamic terrorists whom he accused of committing horrible atrocities.”

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said his country opposed religious persecution and had constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.

Trump called Nigeria a disgraced country, threatening to go in “guns-a-blazing” to wipe out what he called Islamic terrorists, adding that he’d instructed the Pentagon, which is also now called the Department of War, to prepare for possible action.

He said if Nigeria were attacked, it would be fast, vicious and sweet.

He warned the Nigerian government, which has rejected the claims to act fast.

While Christians are among those targeted, the majority of victims are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.

President Tinubu said Trump’s labelling of Nigeria as “a country of concern” was not a reflection of the reality on the ground.