A United States senator, Ted Cruz, has introduced legislation aimed at sanctioning individuals and government officials involved in enforcing blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria amid serious allegations of widespread persecution of Christians.
Following President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” due to religious oppression, Cruz expressed his strong support for the move. In a statement released Friday, he emphasized that his bill would reinforce U.S. efforts to hold accountable those responsible for enabling targeted violence and discrimination against Christians in Nigeria.
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today,” Cruz said.
The proposed bill aims to strengthen actions against Nigerian officials who have created or supported an environment where Christians face systematic violence through blasphemy and Sharia laws. Cruz pledged to work with the administration and congressional colleagues to advance these necessary measures.
He also praised President Trump’s leadership, calling the decision “a great one.”
President Trump’s designation came amid allegations that radical Islamist groups have killed thousands of Christians in Nigeria, describing the situation as a growing threat to Christianity worldwide. Trump called for urgent investigations and policy responses, emphasizing that the U.S. “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
Echoing these concerns, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Archbishop Daniel Okoh confirmed the ongoing Christian genocide and urged the Nigerian government to halt the killings immediately.
