U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced new legislation aimed at addressing the enforcement of blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria. The move follows former President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
In a statement released on his official website, Senator Cruz commended Trump for the designation, describing it as a crucial step toward confronting religious persecution.
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” Cruz said. “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 explained that the proposed bill seeks to hold accountable Nigerian officials accused of creating or enabling an environment conducive to violence and discrimination against Christians.
“Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria,” he said.
“My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who enforce blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria. I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance this bill and implement these necessary measures.”
Cruz concluded by thanking Trump for what he described as “strong leadership” on the issue.
Background
Former President Trump announced the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” on his Truth Social platform, citing ongoing violence against Christians.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump wrote. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.’”
Trump also said he had directed several Republican lawmakers including Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia and Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma to investigate the situation and report their findings.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries,” Trump added. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
The renewed U.S. attention on Nigeria follows comments made by Senator Cruz in September during a podcast with television host Bill Maher, where he alleged that Christians in Nigeria are being “systematically targeted and killed” describing the situation as genocide. Maher and political commentator Van Jones supported those claims, accusing the Nigerian government of complicity.
The Nigerian Federal Government has, however, rejected the allegations of a “Christian genocide,” calling them “false and malicious propaganda” intended to harm the country’s global reputation.
