American rapper Onika Maraj-Petty, known professionally as Nicki Minaj, has again drawn international attention to killings in Nigeria, calling for an end to the violence and urging freedom for Christians.
Minaj made the remarks in a post shared on X on Friday, using a faith-based message to underline her position.
Quoting a Christian hymn, she wrote: “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other grounds is sinking sand,” before adding in capital letters: “FREE THE CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA!!!!!!!!!! STOP THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
The post quickly circulated on social media, prompting fresh debate around insecurity, religious freedom and the broader violence affecting parts of the country.
Minaj’s intervention follows comments she made in November at a United Nations–related briefing focused on global religious freedom and violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Recall that at the event, United States official Michael Waltz described the situation as “genocide wearing the mask of chaos.”
Waltz alleged that attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions were directed at Christian communities, citing incidents of church burnings, killings and kidnappings.
He argued that the violence was organised rather than incidental, linking it to wider insecurity and abductions, including the seizure of schoolchildren.
Referencing figures from the non-governmental organisation Open Doors, Waltz said that Nigeria accounted for a great share of global violence against Christians.
Minaj, who also addressed the briefing, said Christians in Nigeria were being targeted because of their faith, adding that churches had been destroyed, families displaced and communities forced to live under constant threat.
She framed the situation as part of a wider international challenge and credited former United States President Donald Trump with amplifying the issue.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims that the country’s insecurity is driven by religious persecution.
Officials maintain that the violence stems from criminal activities such as banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, affecting communities across religious lines.
Despite this position, international figures and advocacy groups have continued to spotlight Nigeria’s security crisis, keeping the issue in global focus as attacks persist in several regions.
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