By Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) -When President Donald Trump made a surprise threat this weekend on social media to carry out strikes in Nigeria, his defense secretary answered quickly: "Yes sir.

President Donald Trump was heading to Florida on Friday, watching Fox News, when he saw the network run a story on how Christians were being targeted by Islamic groups in Nigeria, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

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

He said the U.S. might attack Nigeria, cut aid if Christians weren't protected. The State Department on Monday officially updated its designation for Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" for its alleged severe violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria if it fails to end Christian persecution.

CPPE has warned that Trump’s military threat could harm Nigeria’s economy, trigger capital flight, weaken the Naira, and erode investor confidence.

Over the weekend, rapper Nicki Minaj publicly thanked President Donald Trump and his administration for taking steps to help persecuted

As Donald Trump eyes possible military intervention in Nigeria, it’s worth appreciating just how long the Republican's international target list has become.