A United States senator, Ted Cruz, has sponsored a bill to sanction individuals and government officials involved in enforcing blasphemy and Sharia laws in Nigeria, following allegations of widespread persecution of Christians in the country.

Cruz, in a statement released on Friday after President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a ?country of particular concern,? said he had introduced legislation to reinforce the U.S. government?s stance and hold accountable those responsible for the alleged religious oppression.

He said, ?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.?

According to him, the bill would strengthen measures against Nigerian officials accused of enabling an environment where Christians face targeted violence and discrimination.

?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. 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 stated.

Cruz also commended President Trump?s leadership, saying, ?Today?s decision by President Trump is a great one, and I thank him for his strong leadership.?

Trump?s declaration came after he alleged that thousands of Christians have been killed by radical Islamist groups in Nigeria, describing the situation as a growing threat to Christianity.

He warned that the United States ?cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,? calling for immediate investigations and policy actions.

However, both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigerian Presidency have dismissed the allegations of a Christian genocide.

While CAN described the reports as false narratives peddled by foreign agents, the Presidency insisted that there is no religious war taking place in the country. (Tribune))

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