United States senator Ted Cruz has taken steps to end sharia law practices in Nigeria, saying that he will push for a legislation aimed at sanctioning Nigerian officials who “implement or support blasphemy and Sharia laws.”
Mr Cruz stated this in a statement released on his official website.
The Republican senator from Texas, said the move aligns with his long-standing efforts to protect Christians facing religious persecution in Nigeria.
He said “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.”
The development comes a day after US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over persecution and killings of Christians.
Mr Cruz added that his proposed legislation would henceforth hold officials to account for their role in acts targeting Christians in the country.
“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,” he said.
Daily Intel recalls that Mr Trump had in a post on his Truth Social platform announced that Nigeria had been designated as a “Country of Particular Concern”, a status reserved for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.
Mr Trump claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” alleging that “thousands of Christians are being killed” by “radical Islamists.”
He added that he had instructed some members of Congress, including Representatives Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.), to investigate the alleged killings and report their findings.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria,” Mr Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
