American hip-hop star Nicky Minaj has offered further explanation for his recent comments about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, saying his comments were motivated by personal connections to the country and concern over reports of attacks on worshipers.
The rapper spoke at the AmericaFest event in the United States on Sunday, where she addressed a question about why she chose to speak publicly about Nigeria during a session with Erika Kirk, widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
According to Minaj, her interest in Nigeria is long-standing, noting that her pastor is Nigerian and that she has a large Nigerian following on her platforms.
He said reports of kidnappings and murders linked to religious gatherings influenced his decision to lend his voice to the issue.
READ ALSO: ‘Free Christians’, again, Nicki Minaj talks about murders in Nigeria
“Nigeria is a place I have always loved. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have a lot of Nigerian criticism…
“So to hear that they are kidnapping people while they are in church, that they are killing and mistreating people, all because of their religion, that should spark outrage,” Minaj said.
The artist emphasized that her comments were not intended to take aim at any government, but rather to draw attention to the broader issue of religious freedom, which she says is often taken for granted in many parts of the world.
Minaj noted that there are people who are forced to worship in fear or in secret, and emphasized the need for global solidarity and prayers for those affected.
“We will no longer back down. We will no longer be silenced by bullies. We will speak out for Christians wherever they are in this world.”
“We take it for granted that right now in this world there are people who cannot worship God however they want, wherever they want.
“Every time we pray in communion, we have to remember the people who are in this world right now hiding to pray in communion, and we have to pray for them,” he said.
His comments follow an earlier social media post in which he reacted to a statement by former US President Donald Trump who claimed that Christianity was under threat in Nigeria. Minaj said the post made her reflect on the freedom to practice religion without fear.
He also previously expressed similar concerns during a public engagement involving US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has consistently rejected claims that Christians are being targeted in a coordinated manner, calling such allegations misleading.
Authorities have maintained that the country’s security challenges are complex and affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines, adding that there is no state-sponsored persecution against any religious group.