“‘50,000 Dead, 20,000 Churches Burned!’ — Ted Cruz’s Alarming Claim Sparks International Fury, Pressures Nigeria on Religious Carnage”
By Passman Akpos
A storm of global reactions has trailed U.S. Senator Ted Cruz’s explosive statement alleging that more than 50,000 Christians have been murdered in Nigeria and over 20,000 churches and schools burned in a wave of religiously-motivated violence.
Cruz, who applauded former U.S. President Donald Trump for previously designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), is now pushing for the passage of his Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, a bill designed to impose targeted sanctions on officials “involved in these atrocities.”
> “The next step is to pass my Act to implement specific sanctions to end the slaughter,” Cruz said in a statement that has ignited heated debate across Nigeria and the international community.
Voices From Nigeria: ‘God Bless You, Senator Cruz’
Following the senator’s declaration, an avalanche of reactions poured in from Nigerians—Christians and Muslims alike—expressing gratitude, fear, frustration, and desperation.
A Muslim from northern Nigeria wrote:
> “God bless you. I’m Muslim from Northern Nigeria and we support your motions. The sanctions should have an immediate effect on those officials involved.”
Another commenter, reacting to the report of killings, pushed a controversial view:
> “So, maybe we should open up immigration to Nigerian Christians, eh?
Among Nigerian Christians, the tone was emotional and desperate. One wrote:
> “Sir, honestly, this year Christmas we don’t know how we’re going to celebrate it.”
Another said:
> “Where the spirit and political will is lacking to confront the monster of Islamic terrorists in Nigeria, God will raise up stones to fight for His people. Thank you Senator Cruz and President Trump.”
Many others echoed similar sentiments:
“Thank you sir for being there for Jews/Christians in Nigeria.”
“Thank you Distinguished Senator Ted Cruz for allowing yourself to be used of God.”
“Thanks to Senator Cruz and the U.S. for trying to save Christians in Nigeria.”
A Deepening International Spotlight
Cruz’s intervention has thrust Nigeria back into the center of international religious-freedom debates, coming at a time when security agencies are still battling widespread terrorism, banditry, and sectarian attacks across multiple regions.
Supporters of the bill argue that U.S. sanctions could finally pressure Nigerian officials to act decisively. Critics, however, warn that foreign intervention risks political complications and diplomatic strain.
Nigeria Yet to Respond
As at press time, Nigerian federal authorities have not issued an official response to Cruz’s claims or his proposed sanctions bill.
But for many Nigerians—especially those in conflict-prone regions—the outpouring of international attention offers a rare moment of visibility in a crisis they say is too often met with silence.
