United States Senator Ted Cruz has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing legislation that seeks to end the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria.
His statement came after former US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged genocide and persecution of Christians.
In a release published on his official website, Senator Cruz praised Trump’s decision, describing it as a crucial step toward protecting religious freedom in Nigeria.
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” Cruz said. “For years, I have fought to stop the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria. This year, I introduced legislation to lock in this designation and ensure accountability.”
The Texas senator stressed that his proposed bill would impose new measures on Nigerian officials found to be enforcing or enabling religious persecution.
“My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria,” he explained. “I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance this bill and ensure it becomes law.”
Cruz described the designation as a “critical step” toward holding Nigerian leaders responsible for policies that, in his view, enable violence against Christians.
Trump, in his own statement on Truth Social, said Nigeria’s CPC designation followed reports of mass killings of Christians by radical Islamist groups.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump wrote. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’”
Trump also directed Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia and Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, to investigate the alleged atrocities and report their findings.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria,” Trump added. “We stand ready to protect Christians and defend religious freedom globally.”
Sharia law is predominantly practiced in northern Nigeria, where several cases of blasphemy-related violence and executions have sparked global outrage.
Cruz’s proposed legislation aims to link U.S. foreign policy and aid to Nigeria’s record on religious rights and freedom.