Christians Killing: Four More U.S. Senators Join Ted Cruz in Renewed Push to Label Nigeria ‘Country of Particular Concern'
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that four additional Republican senators have joined U.S. Senator Ted Cruz in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged systematic persecution and killings of Christians across the country.
OTN News further reports as gathered that in a joint letter, Senators Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, and James Lankford joined Cruz to demand renewed action from the U.S. government, citing what they described as “relentless terrorist killings, mass kidnappings, and targeted attacks” in Benue, Niger, and other states.
The lawmakers warned that Nigeria has become “one of the most dangerous places in the world to be Christian.”
The senators recalled that Nigeria was first placed on the CPC list in 2020 under former President Donald Trump but was removed the following year.
They urged the Biden administration to restore the designation, echoing a recent recommendation by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
The U.S. State Department, meanwhile, has voiced “deep concern” over rising religiously motivated violence and insecurity in Nigeria, stressing that the Nigerian government must take stronger measures to safeguard minority groups and promote peaceful coexistence.
However, Nigerian authorities have consistently dismissed such claims as “false and divisive,” maintaining that attacks in the country are driven by criminal and economic motives rather than religion.
OTN News, however, observes that despite the Nigerian government’s position, the group of senators insists on pursuing the re-designation, revealing that more lawmakers are expected to back the motion before the end of the week.
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