United States Senator Ted Cruz has accused some Nigerian government officials of creating conditions that contribute to attacks against Christians and other religious minorities, saying the U.S. government is aware of those responsible and is working toward imposing sanctions.
The Republican senator representing Texas made the statement in a post on his verified X account following moves by the U.S. House of Representatives to address concerns over religious persecution in Nigeria.
Cruz alleged that certain Nigerian officials have supported policies that encourage extremist violence by enforcing blasphemy and Sharia laws while failing to adequately respond to attacks linked to jihadist groups.
He stated that the United States already knows the officials he believes are responsible and that he has been pushing legislation aimed at sanctioning them. He also claimed that former President Donald Trump had taken steps involving military action.
The senator further accused Nigerian authorities of focusing on public relations efforts instead of addressing concerns raised internationally about insecurity and alleged religious persecution.
His comments come as American lawmakers continue discussions over violence affecting religious communities in Nigeria. During a recent congressional session on religious freedom, U.S. Representative Chris Smith raised concerns about attacks allegedly carried out by groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other armed groups.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also said the issue of religious persecution in Nigeria was receiving serious attention from the American government. He acknowledged Nigeria’s cooperation in counterterrorism efforts but maintained that more action was needed to protect vulnerable communities and address concerns surrounding religious freedom.
