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.

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.