Abuja has hired a U.S. lobbying firm to improve relations with President Donald Trump's administration, after Nigeria was redesignated a country of particular concern over the treatment of Christians. President Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christian communities and has even threatened military action. The United States has already carried out an airstrike in the country - a move Abuja says targets Islamist militants, not a religious group. Nigeria insists there is no systematic persecution of Christians, saying the violence is part of a broader security crisis affecting people of all faiths. Our Nigeria correspondent, Jonathan James Lyamgohn, joins us now.

<p>Abuja has hired a U.S. lobbying firm to improve relations with President Donald Trump's administration, after Nigeria was redesignated a country of particular concern over the treatment of Christians. President Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christian communities and has even threatened military action. The United States has already carried out an airstrike in the country - a move Abuja says targets Islamist militants, not a religious group. Nigeria insists there is no systematic persecution of Christians, saying the violence is part of a broader security crisis affecting people of all faiths. Our Nigeria correspondent, Jonathan James Lyamgohn, joins us now.</p>