United States Senator Ted Cruz has alleged that American authorities have identified Nigerian government officials responsible for fostering conditions that enable the killing of Christians, warning that such individuals could face sanctions.
Cruz made the statement on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, via his X account while reacting to the recent attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. The incident, which occurred on Palm Sunday, left at least 12 people dead.
According to the Texas lawmaker, “Nigerian government officials have created an environment in which Christians are routinely persecuted and slaughtered, by imposing sharia law and ignoring acts of violence.” He added that the United States is aware of those involved and has the means to hold them accountable.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed that gunmen attacked the community at about 8:30 p.m. on March 29, 2026, killing 12 persons—10 men and two women. Two additional bodies were later discovered in nearby bushes during a security sweep.
The attack also sparked outrage from American humanitarian Alex Barbir, leader of the Building Zion missionary group, who criticised the Nigerian government in a widely circulated video. Speaking from Plateau, Barbir questioned the response of President Bola Tinubu, accusing authorities of repeated inaction in the face of violence.
Barbir, known for rebuilding homes for victims of attacks across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, described the killings as part of a recurring pattern and called for urgent intervention.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the affected community and assured residents that justice would be pursued. He pledged that those responsible would be brought to book and announced that the state government would cover medical expenses for the injured and ensure proper burial for the deceased.
Authorities subsequently imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area from midnight on March 29 through April 1, 2026, alongside the deployment of additional security personnel to restore calm.
The incident marks another flashpoint in growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Abuja over allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.
In October 2025, US President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing threats against Christian communities and warning of possible sanctions, including suspension of aid.
The Nigerian government rejected the designation, describing it as inaccurate. It dispatched a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington for engagements with US lawmakers and also briefed members of the diplomatic corps in Abuja.
In December 2025, President Tinubu dismissed claims of religious persecution, stating that Nigeria faces security challenges driven by criminality and extremism rather than targeted religious violence.
“There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria, and there is no Muslim genocide in Nigeria,” Tinubu said, adding that the government remains committed to addressing insecurity across the country.
