Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Riley Moore are calling for U.S. sanctions and re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern—CPC– due to thousands of Christian deaths by Islamist groups like Boko Haram since 2009.

Senator Cruz declared the U.S knows the perpetrators behind Christian persecutions in Nigeria and intend to hold them accountable as he gives statistics of the victims.

In his words: “Since 2009, over 50,000 Christians in Nigeria have been massacred, and over 18,000 churches and 2,000 Christian schools have been destroyed

“It is the result of decisions made by specific people, in specific places, at specific times—and it says a great deal about who is lashing out now that a light is being shone on these issues.

“The United States knows who those people are, and I intend to hold them accountable.” He vowed.

While the U.S Rep Riley Moore on the other hand who had earlier called on the state secretary Rubio Marco to designate the country as CPC and urged the senate to stop selling weapons to the government of same country until a stop has been put to the massacre, claiming the people behind the ongoing persecution are key members of the government.

 It is an absolute tragedy what is taking place in Nigeria. 7,000 Christians have been murdered by Boko Haram this year alone. A priest was kidnapped and murdered on Ash Wednesday. 54 Christian’s were martyred on Palm Sunday.

“That is why I’m urging Sec Rubio to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern to protect our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to those facing martyrdom for proclaiming the name of Christ.” He emphasised

Calling for those responsible to be held accountable, the Texas Senator said he has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act to the US Senate, which would target these officials with powerful sanctions and other tools.

However, The Christian Association of Nigeria—CAN–a has rejected genocide allegations, stating that terrorist attacks affect all citizens indiscriminately and arise from general insecurity.

According to the Guardian News, reported that CAN organisation’s Director of National Issues and Social Welfare, Abimbola Ayuba, admitted that killings were going on in the country. He, however, dismissed the claims that there were attacks against Christians alone.

Ayuba said, “All I will say to you is that empirical facts exist all over the space about the spate of killings in Nigeria. The pattern of killings has truly not been in a particular pattern. In some Christian-dominated states like Benue, it will appear as if Christians are being killed.

But this same insurgency has claimed several Muslims in their early morning prayers; they attack them in their mosques, slaughter them, kidnap people and do a lot of things.

“Sometimes, our situation is being taken advantage of by groups who know what they benefit from foreign interests. Those foreign interests have a right to poke their noses into what’s going on in our system, but we also have a right to report things as they are.

“Yes, it’s concerning that this insurgency is lasting too long. Also, the spate of killings does not take any pattern. If they open fire in a marketplace, the bullets don’t look for a Christian or spare a Muslim or even spare a baby.

So, all we must be doing now is adopt an all-of-society action to stop this insurgency and also address issues of groupthink. Why run to America when you have a Senate here where you can file your petition? In the end, when they place Nigeria as a country of particular interest, all of us will suffer. But those who run abroad to look for sympathy know why they do that.”

This clash between U.S. advocates and Nigerian leaders underscores ongoing violence that has displaced millions in states like Benue and Plateau.

BY: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth