County of Particular Concern: U.S Senator, Ted Cruz Introduces Legislation to Tackle Sharia Law, Blasphemy Law in Nigeria

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that following President Donald Trump’s designation of the Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” over claims of genocide against Christians, a United States Senator, Ted Cruz, has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing legislation that targets the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria.

OTN News further reports as gathered that the US senator, who stated this in a release published on his website after Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, said that he is deeply gratified to President Trump for making the determination.

According to him, the move aligns with my long-standing efforts to protect Christians facing 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.”

Emphasizing the broader aim of the designation, Cruz stated, “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.”

“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 explained.

He, however, concluded, “Today’s decision by President Trump is a great one, and I thank him for his strong leadership.”

OTN News recalls that on Friday, President Trump said that in response to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, he had redesignated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

OTN News further recalls that Trump announced the decision on his Truth Social media platform.

According to him, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it."

Trump further noted that he has directed Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and members of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report their findings to him.

“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump said. 

“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!," he added.

OTN News, observes that the Sharia law is predominantly practiced in the northern region of Nigeria. 

There have been several reported killings in the country under the guise of enforcing blasphemy.