US Senator Ted Cruz is taking further action regarding the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.
This follows President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to widespread violence and mass murder of Christians.
Trump also warned that the US military might intervene to eliminate Islamic extremists responsible for the killings.
Cruz plans to impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian government officials aiding terrorism.
He stated, “The next step is putting targeted sanctions on particular government officials; government officials who are complicit in what is happening.”
Cruz highlighted that 12 Nigerian states have Sharia and blasphemy laws, which are used to persecute Christians.
Cruz’s Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act aims to hold accountable Nigerian officials facilitating Islamist jihadist violence and enforcing blasphemy laws.
The bill would impose sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, on these officials.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has denied allegations of Christian persecution, attributing violence to complex security issues and criminality.
Cruz, however, claimed the government is aware of policies fueling persecution but chooses media manipulation over accountability.