Republican Senator Ted Cruz is calling for heavy sanctions against President Bola Tinubu and his Vice President Kashim Shettima, accusing the Muslim-Muslim administration of ignoring the ongoing killings of Christians by Islamist militants.
Cruz’s proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act seeks to hold those responsible accountable through targeted sanctions and other measures.
According to him, accused Nigerian officials are failing to protect Christians from Islamist violence, and in some cases, even facilitating attacks.
He has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which would impose sanctions and other measures on officials deemed responsible.
“Officials in Nigeria are ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists. It’s time to hold those responsible accountable,” Cruz said.
The warning comes as Boko Haram militants seized the border town of Kirawa in Borno State, forcing more than 5,000 residents to flee into neighboring Cameroon, according to local leaders.
The insurgents burned homes, a military barracks, and the palace of district head Abdulrahman Abubakar, who escaped across the border.
“I was left with no option but to flee. Residents boarded trucks to seek refuge across the border, while others ran to Maiduguri,” Abubakar told Reuters.
Boko Haram released a video showing fighters torching the barracks while chanting “victory belongs to God.” Residents described Kirawa as now deserted.
This assault follows a September 19 attack on Banki, another border town, where militants overran a military base and seized weapons. Local leaders, including Yakubu Mabba Ali Kirawa, warned that civilians and vigilantes remain the only security presence after multinational troops withdrew in August.
Borno State is the epicenter of a 16-year insurgency by Boko Haram and its splinter group, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Attacks on civilians and security forces have intensified this year, displacing thousands and straining Nigeria’s military.
Cruz’s proposed legislation highlights growing international concern over the Nigerian government’s ability to protect religious minorities and hold those responsible for violence accountable.
