Sen. Cruz Statement on President Trump Action Against Nigeria for Christian Persecution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s announcement to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. 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. 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. My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures. Today’s decision by President Trump is a great one, and I thank him for his strong leadership.”

Background

Sen. Cruz introduced legislation in the Senate to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and impose sanctions on Nigerian officials who facilitate Islamist jihadist violence and enforce blasphemy laws.

---

This statement highlights a significant step in addressing the ongoing persecution of Christians in Nigeria. As we reflect on this development, let us pray for protection over our brothers and sisters in faith and for justice to prevail. For more daily inspirations and prayers, visit ODM Daily.

Source: United States Senate – Ted Cruz Office

Overview of Christian Persecution in Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with approximately 106 million Christians (about 46.5% of the population), is one of the world’s most dangerous places for Christians, ranking 7th on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List for persecution.

The persecution manifests through violent attacks, kidnappings, forced displacement, and systemic discrimination, primarily in the northern and Middle Belt regions. While Islamist militants like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani herdsmen are key perpetrators, the violence is intertwined with ethnic rivalries, land disputes, climate-induced resource scarcity, and criminal banditry, affecting Muslims and Christians alike—though Christian communities report disproportionate targeting.

In 2025, jihadist violence has escalated, spreading from the northeast to central and southern areas, with little improvement under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Advocacy groups describe it as an “ongoing genocide,” but analysts caution against oversimplification, noting the crises’ multifaceted nature.

Historical Context

Religious violence in Nigeria traces back to the 1953 Kano riots, sparked by ethnic and religious tensions between the Muslim north and Christian/animist south following the British colonial amalgamation of 1914.

The 1980s saw the Maitatsine uprisings in Kano, led by radical preacher Mohammed Marwa, killing thousands in clashes with security forces.

The 1990s and early 2000s intensified with Sharia law adoption in 12 northern states post-1999, leading to riots over blasphemy, political appointments, and events like the 2002 Miss World pageant in Kaduna (over 200 deaths) and 2006 Danish cartoon protests (100+ deaths).

The Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 has been pivotal, aiming to impose an Islamic state and explicitly targeting Christians as “enemies of Islam,” with massacres in villages, church bombings, and kidnappings like the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction (mostly Christian).

Fulani herdsmen attacks on Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt surged in the 2010s, often framed as “farmer-herder clashes” but described by victims as ethnic cleansing.

High-profile incidents include the 2022 lynching of Christian student Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto for alleged blasphemy, triggering retaliatory attacks on Christian sites, and the Owo church massacre killing over 50.

Clergy targeting has risen sharply: In 2022–2023 alone, at least seven priests and seminarians were killed, with dozens kidnapped.

Current Situation in 2025

Violence persists amid broader insecurity, with over 10,000 deaths and hundreds of kidnappings since Tinubu’s 2023 election, displacing up to 3 million people.

Key hotspots include the northeast (Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks on Christians and traditionalists), Middle Belt (Fulani raids on Christian villages), and northwest (bandit kidnappings of clergy for ransom).

Notable 2025 incidents:

• January–March: Boko Haram burned a church in Borno, killing attendees; Lakurawa (IS affiliate) launched 13 Sharia-enforcement raids in Kebbi and Sokoto; vigilantes executed 16 Muslims in Edo, heightening interfaith tensions.

• April: Fulani herders killed 284 in Benue and Plateau, including 70 in one assault; two priests kidnapped in Kogi (later released); 55 herder groups infiltrated southern states.

• May: Bandits threatened Saint Francis Catholic Church in Ondo, deterring worship; a priest shot (survived) in Benue; misinformation fueled calls for anti-Christian attacks in the north.

• June: Up to 200 killed in Benue, including IDPs at a Catholic mission; 36 deaths in coordinated attacks, sparking protests over government inaction.

Converts from Islam face family rejection, death threats, and forced flight, while northern Sharia states treat Christians as second-class citizens, closing Christian schools during Ramadan in March 2025.

Blasphemy accusations continue to incite mob violence, disproportionately affecting non-Muslims.

Key Statistics

Nigeria accounts for more faith-based killings than any other country, with Christians comprising the majority of victims.

2025 data (partial, as reporting lags):

Metric	Estimate	Source
Christians Killed for Faith (2024–mid-2025)	~5,000–7,000	Open Doors, advocacy reports

| Total Displaced Christians (Sub-Saharan Africa, incl. Nigeria) | 16.2 million | Open Doors

| Church Attacks/Destructions (2023–2025) | Hundreds (e.g., 3 destroyed in recent reports) | Global Christian Relief, Wikipedia

| Clergy Kidnappings/Killings (2023–2025) | 50+ kidnapped, 10+ killed | USCIRF, Catholic reports

| Blasphemy Prisoners (Ongoing) | At least 4 (mixed faiths) | USCIRF

|

These figures are conservative; underreporting is common due to remote areas and fear.

Causes and Complexity

Islamist ideology drives groups like Boko Haram to target Christians explicitly, but Fulani attacks often stem from pastoralist-farmer conflicts exacerbated by desertification and population growth.

Bandits, recruiting from Fulani communities, prioritize ransom over religion, yet overlaps with jihadists blur lines.

Government impunity—failure to prosecute—emboldens attackers, while Sharia enforcement in 12 states fosters discrimination.

Critics like Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Riley Moore argue it’s state-facilitated “mass murder,” prompting U.S. redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in October 2025.

Nigerian officials counter that framing it as “Christian genocide” ignores indiscriminate terrorism and plays into extremists’ hands, emphasizing dialogue initiatives.

Responses

• Nigerian Government: Increased military deployments and terrorist designations (e.g., Lakurawa in January 2025), but slow responses and appeals (e.g., Tinubu’s April call to Plateau governor) draw criticism from Amnesty International and bishops for fostering mistrust.

• International: U.S. paused aid in January 2025; EU Parliament urged blasphemy law repeal in February; ECOWAS Court ruled against Kano’s laws in April; UK and congressional motions highlight Kebbi attacks.

Faith groups like Open Doors and Global Christian Relief provide aid and advocacy.

The situation remains dire, with calls for accountability and peacebuilding to address root causes. For real-time updates, monitor sources like USCIRF or Open Doors.