Cruz's assertions have been amplified by some 
US celebrities and commentators, often without substantiating evidence, with certain figures going as far as alleging a "Christian genocide."
His office has not responded to questions, including those concerning his motivation for these allegations.
Here's what to know:
Both Christians and
Nigeria’s 220-million-strong population is split almost equally between 
Christians and 
Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts including the 
Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has also targeted 
Muslims it deems not Muslim enough.
Here's what to know:
While 
Christians are among those targeted, analysts say the majority of victims of armed groups are 
Muslims in Nigeria's Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.
Both Muslim and Christian communities, and groups, have at various times alleged “genocide” during religiously motivated attacks against both sides.
Such attacks are often in the north-central and northwestern regions struggling, among other forms of 
violence, with farmer-herder conflict that is between farming communities — predominantly 
Christians — and 
Fulani herders who are mainly 
Muslims.
Joseph Hayab, a former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in 
Kaduna state, among the worst hit by the insecurity, disputed claims of “Christian genocide.”
While 
Christians are among those targeted, analysts say the majority of victims of armed groups are 
Muslims in Nigeria's Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.
Both Muslim and Christian communities, and groups, have at various times alleged “genocide” during religiously motivated attacks against both sides.
Such attacks are often in the north-central and northwestern regions struggling, among other forms of 
violence, with farmer-herder conflict that is between farming communities — predominantly 
Christians — and 
Fulani herders who are mainly 
Muslims.
Joseph Hayab, a former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in 
Kaduna state, among the worst hit by the insecurity, disputed claims of “Christian genocide.”
Nigeria's government rejected Cruz' claims, which have been discussed among Nigerians.
“There is no systematic, intentional attempt either by the Nigerian government or by any serious group to target a particular religion," Information Minister Idris Muhammed told 
The Associated Press.
	
	
		
			
				
			
			
				
				Trump announced he was adding the West African country to the State Department’s watch list
				
					
						
							
						
					
					www.independent.co.uk