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U.S. Senator Ted Cruz Moves to Sanction Nigerian Officials Over Sharia, Blasphemy Laws
United States Senator Ted Cruz has announced plans to introduce a new bill targeting Nigerian officials responsible for enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws, which he says have fueled the persecution of Christians in the country.
In a statement released on social media, the Texas lawmaker expressed gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump for previously designating Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over religious persecution. Cruz described the designation as a “critical step in holding accountable and changing the behavior of Nigerian officials.”
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. 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,” Cruz said.
According to him, the proposed legislation would go further to impose measures on individuals and entities that promote or enforce laws criminalizing blasphemy and implementing Sharia punishments.
“My legislation implements additional steps, including targeting those who implement blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria, and I am committed to working with the administration and my colleagues to advance my bill and implement these necessary measures,” he added.
Cruz hailed Trump’s decision as “a great one,” praising the former president’s leadership and insisting that the new legislation would help “lock in protections for Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria.”
The announcement has sparked renewed debate about the intersection of religion, human rights, and international diplomacy, with observers noting that such a bill could strain relations between Washington and Abuja if passed.