United States Congresswoman, Sara Jacobs, has criticised President Donald Trump’s threat of military action in Nigeria over alleged Christian genocide, describing it as “reckless.”

Jacobs made the remarks on Thursday during a US Congress hearing on Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

The Democrat, who represents California’s 51st Congressional District, including San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, said attributing the violence in Nigeria solely to a religious crisis does not capture the full picture.

“President Trump’s threat is reckless, and any unilateral military action in Nigeria is illegal. Congress has not authorised force in Nigeria to protect Christians,” she said.

Jacobs, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, added that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.

She also urged the Nigerian government to do more to protect its citizens.