United States Senator Ted Cruz has said the U.S. government knows the Nigerian officials he accuses of supporting policies that contribute to violence against Christians and other religious minorities, adding that he is pushing for sanctions against them.
The Republican senator from Texas made the statement in a post on his verified X account after the U.S. House of Representatives advanced measures focused on addressing religious persecution in Nigeria.
Cruz accused some Nigerian officials of creating conditions that allow extremist violence to continue, alleging that authorities have enforced blasphemy and Sharia laws while failing to adequately respond to attacks linked to jihadist groups.
“Nigerian officials have created an environment that facilitates mass violence against Christians and religious minorities by imposing blasphemy and Sharia laws and looking the other way at jihadist atrocities,” Cruz wrote.
He said the United States had identified those responsible for what he described as harmful policies and was working to hold them accountable through sanctions.
“The U.S. government knows the Nigerian officials responsible for these policies, I have been pushing my bill to sanction them, and President Trump has even ordered military action,” he stated.
Cruz also criticized what he described as efforts by Nigerian officials to respond to international concerns through public relations campaigns rather than addressing allegations of religious persecution and insecurity.
“Instead of responding to American concerns, Nigerian officials waged a public relations campaign against critics,” he wrote.
He added that Nigerian authorities had underestimated the response from U.S. lawmakers.
“They were confident in that campaign and in their ability to continue the status quo, and I am heartened that the House has just definitively proven them wrong,” Cruz said.
The senator’s comments come as U.S. lawmakers increase scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of attacks against Christian communities and other religious groups.
During a congressional session on religious freedom in Nigeria on Wednesday, U.S. Representative Chris Smith accused extremist organisations, including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed Fulani groups, of carrying out attacks against Christians. He called on the Nigerian government to take stronger steps to address the violence.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz also said the administration was taking reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria “very seriously.” He acknowledged Nigeria’s cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism efforts but said more action was needed, particularly concerning the application of Sharia law in parts of northern Nigeria.
Waltz alleged that churches had been attacked, pastors killed and individuals arrested over religious symbols, including crosses. He said the U.S. government would continue engaging Nigeria on religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable communities.
