Former U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing ongoing killings of Christians and rising religious persecution.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump said in a statement dated October 31.
Trump noted that Christianity in Nigeria is facing “an existential threat”, adding that thousands have been killed and insisting that urgent action is necessary.
He blamed radical Islamists for the violence, stating that “this mass slaughter” must be addressed.
According to Trump, the number of Christians killed in Nigeria reached 3,100 compared to 4,476 worldwide.
He directed Congressman Riley Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the matter and report to him.
“When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria… something must be done,” he remarked.
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Senator Ted Cruz welcomed the decision, stating that he had long supported efforts to address the situation in Nigeria.
“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” he responded in a statement.
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Cruz said the designation is a necessary step in addressing what he described as persecution and insecurity faced by Christians in Nigeria.
“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,” Cruz stated.
He added that he will continue to push legislation to reinforce the designation and introduce further measures.
Persecution of Christians in Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with a roughly even split between Muslims (predominantly in the north) and Christians (predominantly in the south), experiences severe religious persecution, particularly in the northern and central regions.
This includes targeted violence by Islamist extremist groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militants, as well as state-level discrimination in Sharia-implementing states.
Christians, who make up about 50% of the population (over 100 million), face attacks on churches, abductions, forced conversions, and displacement.
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On October 30, an al-Qaeda–linked armed group active in the Sahel has claimed responsibility for an attack that killed a soldier in central Nigeria this week, its first known attack in the country.
In a video posted on its Telegram channel late on Thursday, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) said it launched the attack in Nigeria’s Kwara State in the early hours of Wednesday, killing a soldier and seizing ammunition and cash.
A Nigerian military source confirmed to the Reuters news agency that JNIM had attacked soldiers on patrol, killing one soldier. But the army did not respond to an official request for comment.
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