The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed allegations made by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz that Nigerian officials were ignoring the mass killing of Christians.
Cruz claimed that Islamist jihadists were carrying out “mass murder of Christians” in Nigeria with the complicity of state officials.
“Officials in Nigeria are ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists,” the senator wrote on X.
“It’s time to hold those responsible accountable. My Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act would target these officials with powerful sanctions and other tools.”
Onanuga described Cruz’s claims as “malicious, contrived lies” and insisted that Nigeria does not have a religious war.
He stated that terrorists and bandits kill without discrimination, targeting everyone, including farmers, soldiers, and worshippers in mosques and churches.
“Senator, stop these malicious, contrived lies against my country. We do not have a religious war in my country.
“The degraded Boko Haram terrorists operating on the fringes of Nigeria’s North-east target everyone. They attack farmers, our soldiers.
“The bandits in the North-west kill worshippers in their mosques. Christians are not targeted. We have religious harmony in our country. Stop these malicious lies, ” he wrote.
President Tinubu had earlier dismissed allegations of religious genocide in Nigeria, saying that the country is built on the faith and resilience of its people.
He emphasised that no religion is under threat in the country and that Nigerians have learned to appreciate their cultural and religious diversity.
The controversy began when Cruz made the allegations on social media, calling for the implementation of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which would target Nigerian officials with sanctions.
Onanuga’s response was swift, accusing Cruz of spreading malicious lies about Nigeria.
