US Senator Ted Cruz has accused Nigerian officials of playing a role directly or indirectly in the ongoing killings of Christians and the destruction of churches across the country.
Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing on US counterterrorism efforts in Africa, Cruz painted a grim picture of the situation in Nigeria.
He claimed the country now records the highest number of Christians killed because of their faith anywhere in the world.
According to him, more than 50,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 by extremist groups, while over 20,000 churches, schools, and religious centres have been destroyed many of them burned down.
He also pointed to recent kidnappings during the Holy Week period as part of the ongoing crisis.
He argued that authorities in Nigeria have, in some cases, enabled the violence either by enforcing religious laws in certain states or by failing to take decisive action against attacks.
That lack of response, he said, has allowed the situation to spiral.
He referenced a bill he introduced, the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which seeks to push the US government to place Nigeria back on its watchlist for religious freedom violations and impose sanctions on officials found to be involved.
The senator also expressed frustration with what he described as denial from Nigerian authorities.
He recalled previous meetings with top defence and security officials who promised to address the violence, but said there has been little to show since then.
Cruz pointed to past actions taken under Donald Trump, noting that the US had previously designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and even carried out operations targeting ISIS militants after attacks on Christians moves he said the Nigerian government welcomed at the time.
Still, he believes the situation hasn’t improved and is questioning what more can be done to stop the bloodshed.
