By Daphne Psaledakis and MacDonald Dzirutwe

WASHINGTON/LAGOS (Reuters) -The United States is considering actions such as sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as part of a plan to compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and religious freedom, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday.

Nigeria is under scrutiny from U.S. President Donald Trump, who in early November threatened military action over the treatment of Christians in the country. Nigeria says claims that Christians face persecution misrepresent a complex security situation and do not take into account efforts to safeguard religious freedom.

“The Trump administration is developing a plan to incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian co

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