US Envoy and Nicki Minaj Condemn Violence in Nigeria

A Call to Action: Addressing Religious Persecution in Nigeria

During a recent United Nations event focused on global religious freedom, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz, and American musician Nicki Minaj highlighted the ongoing security challenges in Nigeria. The event, titled “Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria,” brought attention to the alarming situation facing Christian communities in the country.

Waltz described the violence in Nigeria as “genocide wearing the mask of chaos.” He emphasized that attacks on Christian communities are not random but part of a systematic pattern of persecution. He pointed out that churches are being burned, mothers are burying their children for the crime of singing “Amazing Grace,” and pastors have been beheaded for preaching the Sermon on the Mount. Entire villages wake up to gunfire because they dare to call Jesus their Lord. People are also being jailed under blasphemy laws for simply wearing a cross.

The ambassador cited recent kidnappings as part of this broader pattern of insecurity. He mentioned that 25 little girls were recently taken from their school. According to reports by the NGO Open Doors, 80% of the violence against Christians worldwide is occurring in Nigeria. This statistic underscores the severity of the issue and the urgent need for international action.

Waltz commended President Donald Trump’s recent condemnation of the killings in Nigeria. He noted that Trump was the first U.S. president to convene world leaders at the United Nations in 2019 to draw attention to the crisis. Trump also created the Religious Liberty Commission to fight for believers everywhere. Waltz stated that while Nigeria’s Christians cried out, Trump answered, reminding the world that protecting Christians is not about politics but a moral duty.

He described Trump’s intervention as an inspiration, saying, “We need voices that pierce the silence that we’ve heard from the international community, that humanises these statistics that we keep hearing, and that demands accountability.”

Nicki Minaj, speaking at the same briefing, framed the Nigerian crisis as part of a global issue affecting freedom of belief. She said, “In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed. Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray.”

Minaj stressed that similar challenges exist elsewhere, noting, “Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries across the world, and it demands urgent action.” The American musician thanked Trump for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria, combat extremism, and stop violence against those who want to exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief.

She expressed hope that Tuesday’s event would encourage deepened solidarity for working together to ensure every person can enjoy the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace.

The event comes after Trump stated there was an ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and announced the country would be designated a “Country of Particular Concern.” Despite this, the Federal Government has strongly denied allegations of religiously motivated violence, maintaining that insecurity in the country stems from criminal activities unrelated to faith. However, U.S. officials have continued to voice concerns about the situation.