The Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) has praised U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and four other senators for supporting his call to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) in response to the increasing attacks on Christian communities nationwide.
In recent statements, Senator Cruz has accused certain Nigerian officials of being complicit in what he terms “mass murder” of Christians, and has highlighted the urgency of holding accountable those who facilitate Islamist violence or tolerate enforcement of blasphemy and Sharia laws. Building on this, four more U.S. senators—Ted Budd, Pete Ricketts, Josh Hawley, and James Lankford—have lent their support to pressuring the U.S. State Department to redesignate Nigeria under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act framework.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) make bold to call a spade a spade, stating that Christians are being targeted in Nigeria and this is the position of NSCEA. We remain deeply concerned about the escalating violence and loss of life, all over Nigeria most especially as it concerns the Christians in Nigeria’s central and northern regions. The Council therefore offers the following clarifications and positions:
1. Affirming the Suffering:
NSCEA acknowledges that Christian communities in Nigeria have endured repeated attacks—killings, abductions, and destruction of property. These atrocities disproportionately affect congregations in the Middle Belt, Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and parts of northern Nigeria especially.
2. Thankful For the Balanced Discourse:
We appreciate the attention from U.S. lawmakers, over the discourse on Nigeria’s security challenges. The conflict threads together Christian persecutions, terrorism, banditry, ethnic cleansing, communal conflicts, and governance lapses and we’re thus, grateful for the precise and evidence-driven and balanced discourse.
3. Demanding Transparent Investigation & Accountability by the Federal of government of Nigeria: NSCEA calls on the government of Nigeria to investigate every credible allegation of complicity—whether by public officials, security agents, or community actors—and to bring perpetrators to justice. We advocate for improved protection of all religious communities, regardless of faith.
4. Welcoming International Oversight: We support this responsible international engagement on issues of religious freedom and human rights. We appreciate that such engagements would always exist to support all suffering from insecurity in Nigeria.
Message to U.S. Senators:
To Senator Ted Cruz and the other senators, NSCEA expresses gratitude for shining a spotlight on atrocities against Christians. We encourage continued engagement—especially fact-based action—on policies that promote religious freedom, human dignity, and genuine peace. We also with deep appreciation urge that measures proposed (such as sanctions or CPC designation) be calibrated carefully.
Call to the Government of Nigeria: We urge the Nigerian federal and state governments to:
– Strengthen protection of minority and Christian communities, especially in vulnerable zones;
– Train and equip security forces with both operational capacity and respect for human rights;
– Collaborate openly with civil society, Christian bodies, and international partners to document abuses, compensate victims, and rebuild trust;
– Reform or review laws—especially those relating to blasphemy, religious defamation, or extrajudicial liability—that may be misused to marginalize religious minorities.
In a similar development as signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the apex body of Christ in Nigeria on October 8, 2025,
the national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has signed a Press release over concern on this recent conversations surrounding faith, violence, and the true cost of insecurity across the country.”
“CAN affirms, without hesitation, that many Christian communities in parts of Nigeria, especially in the North, have suffered severe attacks, loss of life, and the destruction of places of worship. These realities are painful reminders of the urgent need for government and security agencies to act decisively to protect every citizen, regardless of region.”
In addition, “Over the years, CAN and the wider Christian community have worked tirelessly to draw attention, both nationally and internationally, to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The Association has established mechanisms for recording incidents of religiously motivated killings, engaged with international partners, written to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and hosted global Christian organisations such as the World Evangelical Alliance and the Lausanne Movement.”
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) is an umbrella body representing key Christian denominations in Nigeria; and it seeks to provide coordinated spiritual leadership, promote Christian unity, and advocate for peace, justice, and religious freedom across the nation.
Thank you and God bless you!
Signed:
Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Secretary General, Elders’ Council
Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA)
