United States (US) Senator Ted Cruz has called on the White House to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian government officials and 12 state administrations accused of enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws that he says are being used to persecute Christians.
Speaking in Washington, Cruz commended President Donald Trump for reinstating Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a status withdrawn by the Biden administration in 2021.
"Unfortunately, Joe Biden came into office and immediately removed them from the list, removed pressures, removed sanctions, basically turned a blind eye while radical Islamic terrorists slaughtered Christians in Nigeria," Cruz said.
The Texas senator believed that President Trump’s earlier decision to re-list Nigeria was the "right thing to do," adding that he had consistently urged the administration to take tougher measures against religious persecution in the country.
Cruz disclosed that he has introduced legislation seeking to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials who enable or overlook attacks on Christians.
The proposed measures include visa bans, asset freezes, and other financial restrictions.
"I have also introduced legislation that would impose targeted sanctions on the particular government officials who are responsible for looking the other way, responsible for facilitating or condoning this mass slaughter.
"Twelve state governments in Nigeria enforce Sharia law and blasphemy laws, and these are used to persecute Christians. These government officials are complicit in the mass murder," he said.
He urged the White House to "use America’s sanctioning tools" to hold those responsible to account and to pressure the Nigerian authorities to halt religiously motivated violence.
Cruz’s remarks came shortly after President Trump reannounced his administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing what he described as "large-scale killings of Christians."
In a statement released by the White House, Trump warned that the US could cut aid or take military action if the violence continues.
"Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter," Trump said.
He added that Washington would not stand idly by while such atrocities persist.
"The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and other countries. We are able and willing to defend Christians," Trump said.
The Nigerian government has rejected the claims, insisting that the nation’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that ongoing security challenges affect people of all faiths.
Government officials have repeatedly dismissed allegations of state-sponsored persecution, describing the US accusations as "misinformed" and "politically motivated."
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