United States Senator Ted Cruz has introduced a controversial bill seeking to sanction Nigerian government officials accused of enabling violence against Christians and enforcing Sharia and blasphemy laws in the country.
Cruz announced the development on Thursday via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that the proposed legislation is designed to offer protection to Nigerian Christians who have faced repeated attacks and alleged state-backed persecution.
According to the Senator, the bill targets officials who “permit violence and enforce sharia or blasphemy laws, which in Nigeria carry the death penalty.”
This follows Cruz’s earlier call for the White House to take decisive action against Nigerian authorities, including sanctioning government officials and the twelve northern states currently operating Sharia legal frameworks.
The move comes amid renewed global scrutiny of religious freedom in Nigeria. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over rising religious violence. Trump also reportedly warned that military intervention could be considered if the Nigerian government fails to protect minority groups, particularly Christians.
The push for sanctions has sparked debates in diplomatic and human rights circles, with some praising the bill as overdue intervention, while others warn it could strain US–Nigeria relations and complicate security cooperation in West Africa.
The Nigerian government has yet to respond to Cruz’s latest legislative action.
