A group of Republican Senators has urged U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio to re-designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over what they describe as relentless terrorist killings targeting Christians.
In a joint letter, Senators Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, and James Lankford cited mass kidnappings and massacres in Benue, Niger, and other states, warning that Nigeria has become “one of the most dangerous places in the world to be Christian”.
They noted that while Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 under Donald Trump, it was removed in 2021. The lawmakers want the designation restored, aligning with a recent recommendation by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
The U.S. State Department has also expressed “deep concern” over worsening violence, stressing that Abuja must do more to protect religious minorities.
The Federal Government has, however, rejected claims of systematic persecution, calling them “false and divisive”.
