Nigeria’s Sharia Crisis: U.S. Lawmakers and Cleric Warn of Religious Persecution and Islamization

[Hol]

Abuja–In 2025, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz condemned Nigeria’s Sharia blasphemy laws targeting Christians. He introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, urging the U.S. to act against the legal framework that enables religious persecution.

This was followed by Congressman Marlin Stutzman’s criticism of Sharia.

Stutzman called the laws “barbaric.” And he proposed a House companion bill to defend religious freedom.

In October, Rev. Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto, denounced Sharia as unconstitutional, citing the lynching of Deborah Samuel and other victims, and urged President Tinubu to challenge its legality.

Together, these voices highlight growing international concern over religious persecution in northern Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Sharia Crisis: U.S. Lawmakers and Cleric Warn of Religious Persecution and Islamization

By Mike Odeh James Abuja--In 2025, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz condemned Nigeria’s Sharia blasphemy laws targeting Christians. He introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, urging

truthnigeria.com

 

[Hol]

From the article:

A Barber’s Ordeal in Kano​

Elijah Odeh, a 19-year-old student from Benue State living in Kano, runs a small barbershop to support his widowed mother and sister. On January 20, 2021, his quiet life changed forever.

He told TruthNigeria how Sharia law upended his life: “As I opened my shop that morning, men from the Hisbah, the Islamic police, emerged, handcuffed me, and dragged me into a van.”

His “crime,” according to the Hisbah, was shaving the hair of Muslim customers in styles deemed offensive to Prophet Muhammad. Though Elijah is not a Muslim, he was arraigned before a Sharia court, denied bail, and held for more than a month until a senator from Benue intervened to secure his release.

Rights advocates say his case exposes how Sharia enforcement in parts of northern Nigeria increasingly ensnares non-Muslims, eroding the constitutional promise of religious freedom.

 

[Hol]

For a deeper dive here’s Mike Winger’s take on these forgotten brothers and sisters in Christ:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[Hol]

What you can do (from Mike’s video):

The government is aiding in the massacre of Christians in Nigeria, coordinating with news orgs to cover it up, and we can help stop it.

Find proof, updates, and support the cause at https://EquippingThePersecuted.org

How to advocate through the US government...

Go to https://Congress.govScroll down and enter your state

Send a letter like this to each of your representatives.

Letter to Congress and senate:

Subject: Please Support H. Res. 220 and S. 2747 to Defend Persecuted Christians in Nigeria

Dear [Congressman/Senator] [Last Name],

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action on behalf of persecuted Christians in Nigeria, who are enduring one of the worst humanitarian and religious freedom crises in the world today.

Thousands of Christians have been slaughtered, kidnapped, raped, and displaced by radical Islamist terrorists. Entire villages are being wiped out while the Nigerian government turns a blind eye—or, in some cases, is complicit in these atrocities.

The United States must not remain silent in the face of such evil.

I strongly urge you to:

Support and co-sponsor H. Res. 220, introduced by Congressman Chris Smith, which calls on the U.S. Department of State to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for its severe violations of religious freedom.

Support and co-sponsor S. 2747, Senator Ted Cruz’s Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which would impose targeted sanctions on Nigerian government officials who enable or ignore persecution and human rights abuses.

Designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and enforcing targeted sanctions are critical first steps in holding the Nigerian government accountable and protecting vulnerable Christian communities. These measures will help ensure that U.S. foreign policy truly reflects our nation’s commitment to religious liberty, justice, and human dignity.

Please stand with the persecuted, and let your voice be one of moral leadership and courage in defense of the innocent.

Thank you for your time, compassion, and commitment to defending freedom and human rights.

Sincerely,[Your Full Name][City, State][Email Address or Phone Number (optional)]

 

[Andiamo]

Was going to send this letter to the Democratic reps in Florida but the website will not allow me to fill out a Contact form until it verifies that I live in the District of that particular rep.
I guess a snail mail letter is my only option.

“Please enter your address to verify residency within the district and click "Go to the Next step" when complete.”

 

[Everlasting Life]

While praying for the Nigerians, pray that they hear and understand the true Gospel.

As I'm researching it's looking like the persecuted are mostly comprised of RCC adherents.....notice the picture of the link in the OP. Also, this article states:

According to the 2025 Pontifical Yearbook released by the Vatican’s Central Office of Church Statistics, Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s second-largest Catholic nation with 35 million adherents. This milestone signals a profound demographic and spiritual shift in global Catholicism.

With 35 million Catholics, Nigeria now accounts for more than 12% of Africa’s total Catholic population, which has grown to 281 million, representing 20% of the global Catholic community. Only the Democratic Republic of Congo ranks higher on the continent, with 55 million Catholics.


To appreciate the weight of these numbers, consider this: Nigeria alone now has more Catholics than Italy, France, and Spain individually – countries once seen as the heartlands of the faith. This is a vivid reminder that the centre of gravity for global Catholicism is shifting decisively southward......

Nigeria Now Has 35 Million Catholics - The Faith is Shifting to the Global South | The Source

According to the 2025 Pontifical Yearbook released by the Vatican's Central Office of Church Statistics, Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s

thesourceng.com

Of course only God knows hearts, who's saved and not saved.....but I believe this info is good to know for strategic prayers. And it's something to consider in regards to donations and knowing who is actually being supported. We want to do good to all people as Galations encourages but also be wise and prudent in how and where to use funding to further the true Gospel.

 

[Hol]

Here’s a problem that our letters could help correct:

U.S . envoy dismisses Christian genocide claims in Nigeria​

Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African affairs, has dismissed the claim of a Christian genocide, stating that Boko Haram has killed more Muslims in its attacks.‎

‎Boulos made the remarks in an interview on Friday, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the sidelines of the 2025 Aqaba Process Summit in Rome, Italy.
‎
…

His comments follow calls by a U.S. lawmaker for sanctions on Nigeria over alleged Christian persecution and to designate the country a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
‎
‎“Those who know the terrain well know that terrorism has no colour and no religion and no tribe.”

U.S . envoy dismisses Christian genocide claims in Nigeria

Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and African affairs, has dismissed the claim of a Christian genocide

guardian.ng

 

[Hol]

Of course only God knows hearts, who's saved and not saved.....but I believe this info is good to know for strategic prayers. And it's something to consider in regards to donations and knowing who is actually being supported. We want to do good to all people as Galations encourages but also be wise and prudent in how and where to use funding to further the true Gospel.

Good reminder. I remember a discussion on RF years ago over the Gospel for Asia and K. P. Yohannan was proven to be dubious.

Gospel for Asia Founder KP Yohannan Back in NRB’s Good Graces After Alleged Fraud and $37 Million Settlement​

Gospel for Asia Founder KP Yohannan Back in NRB’s Good Graces After Alleged Fraud and $37 Million Settlement

Gospel for Asia has rejoined the National Religious Broadcasters and founder K.P. Yohannan is a speaker at the upcoming NRB Convention 2023

julieroys.com

In this thread I checked out Mike Winger’s recommendation and they are not RCC.

Statement of Faith - Equipping The Persecuted

Our Statement of Faith Equipping The Persecuted is a non-denominational organization. We are here to assist allpersecuted Christians regardless of their denominational affiliation. That being said this isour statement of faith and guidelines on which we operate: Have Questions? Get In Touch With...

equippingthepersecuted.org

 

[Everlasting Life]

I only mention it because awhile back, a well known group seeking financial helps came to my attention in regards to helping Christians (I believe well meaning in their endeavor).

In their communique I realized by the pictures and who they referenced, that some funding was going to the RCC church outlets in certain areas. Upon writing and asking about this, in their response, they were cagey in answering directly, stating that they utilize any christian resource willing to work with them in certain areas.

So, I'm just giving a general heads up that as certain groups reach out for helps, be aware that some who've been a good place to donate before are now working arm in arm with RCC churches in those locations (I'm not talking about Mike Winger by the way - not familiar with him).

I notice this in the M.E. and African areas.

Just something for readers to be aware of, research, think and pray on.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

 

[Cheeky200386]

I only mention it because awhile back, a well known group seeking financial helps came to my attention in regards to helping Christians (I believe well meaning in their endeavor).

In their communique I realized by the pictures and who they referenced, that some funding was going to the RCC church outlets in certain areas. Upon writing and asking about this, in their response, they were cagey in answering directly, stating that they utilize any christian resource willing to work with them in certain areas.

So, I'm just giving a general heads up that as certain groups reach out for helps, be aware that some who've been a good place to donate before are now working arm in arm with RCC churches in those locations (I'm not talking about Mike Winger by the way - not familiar with him).

I notice this in the M.E. and African areas.

Just something for readers to be aware of, research, think and pray on.

Unless I know the money I donate goes into the personal hands of those impacted, Mike and I do not donate to any organization. We give to our local church and our missionaries. I do pray for persecuted Christians and for their needs. My hearts hurts for what they go through. It’s overwhelming but I know prayer is powerful.