U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has made serious allegations against the Nigerian government, claiming that more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world.
Speaking during a Senate hearing, Cruz said that since 2009, “Islamic jihadists have murdered more than 50,000 Christians,” and destroyed over 20,000 churches, schools, and religious institutions, many of them burned to the ground.
He alleged that Nigerian officials have been “complicit” in the violence, accusing both state and federal authorities of failing to act decisively. According to him, about a dozen states enforce blasphemy and Sharia laws, while the federal government “looks the other way” as attacks continue.
Cruz also referenced recent kidnappings during the Holy Week period, describing them as part of a broader pattern of targeted violence against Christians.
The senator pointed to his proposed legislation, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which seeks to return Nigeria to the U.S. Country of Particular Concern list and impose sanctions on officials allegedly linked to enforcing religious laws or ignoring extremist violence.
He added that U.S. authorities are aware of those responsible and insisted they “should be held accountable.”
Cruz disclosed that Nigerian officials, including senior lawmakers and aides close to the presidency, have previously rejected his claims, denying any role in facilitating such attacks.
He also revealed that he met with top Nigerian defense and security officials last year, who pledged to curb the violence, but noted that “those results have yet to materialize.”
Referencing actions under President Donald Trump, Cruz highlighted Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern and U.S. military action targeting ISIS-linked militants after attacks on Christians.
Despite this, he criticized what he described as contradictory responses from Nigerian authorities, calling their stance “somewhere between hypocritical and infuriating.”
Cruz concluded by questioning the current situation and what further steps the United States should take to halt the ongoing violence.
