United States Senator Ted Cruz has announced plans to push legislation targeting the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria.

The move follows the US President Donald Trump’s redesignation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution.

Cruz, a Republican from Texas, said the move reflects his long-standing campaign to protect Christians in Nigeria whom he claims are facing violence and discrimination.

Cruz vows to push sanctions

In a statement published on his official website, Mr Cruz expressed support for the redesignation and confirmed he would press forward with a bill aimed at introducing sanctions against Nigerian government officials linked to the enforcement of religious laws, Vanguard reported.

“I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination. 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," he said.

Mr Cruz added that the proposed bill would create “sanctions and accountability measures” for Nigerian leaders who “implement or support blasphemy and Sharia laws.”

“Today’s designation is a critical step in holding accountable and changing the behaviour of Nigerian officials who have facilitated and created an environment conducive to the outrages in Nigeria,” he stated.

Trump backs push, alleges persecution

Mr Cruz’s announcement followed comments by Trump on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Christianity faces “an existential threat” in Nigeria.

“Thousands of Christians are being killed by radical Islamists,” he alleged. He added that he had instructed congressional allies to “investigate and report back.”

Mr Trump said the United States “cannot stand by” amid the alleged killings, declaring that the US is “ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”

Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria

Sharia law operates in 12 northern Nigerian states with majority-Muslim populations, Premium Times reported.

Rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about blasphemy laws in the region, citing cases where those accused faced mob attacks or harsh court sentences.

Several high-profile incidents have drawn global attention, including:

1. The 2022 murder of student Deborah Samuel in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy
2. The 2024 killing of a butcher in Bauchi accused of desecrating the Qur’an.
3. The lynching of a cleric in Kano earlier this year after alleged blasphemous comments.