American rapper Onika Maraj-Petty, widely known as Nicki Minaj, on Tuesday advocated for a global support to halt attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj made the call while addressing a United Nation’s event in New York where she highlighted reports of alleged attacks targeting Christians.
Her appearance came after an earlier announcement that she would speak at the forum alongside the United States ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz.
In her address, which was broadcast on the official YouTube channel of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Minaj condemned the ongoing assaults on religious communities, describing the violence as reaching alarming levels.
“Christians in Nigeria are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed in far too many areas,” she said.
Minaj highlighted the devastating impact of the attacks, noting that churches had been burned, families torn apart, and entire communities living in constant fear simply because of their faith.
She emphasised that the issue was not limited to Nigeria, but was a growing concern in many countries worldwide, and called for urgent action from the global community.
The rapper stressed that advocating for the protection of Christians should not be seen as taking sides, noting that it is a matter of uniting humanity rather than creating divisions.
She added that Nigeria is a nation rich in faith traditions and expressed excitement about connecting with her fans, whom she affectionately referred to as “Barbz.”
Addressing attacks on places of worship, Minaj stated that the destruction of any church, mosque, or religious site should sadden everyone, emphasising that the core mission of the United Nations, to ensure peace and security, should be shaken by such violence.
She also commended peace advocates and interfaith leaders present at the event, praising their efforts to build bridges across religious divides and to safeguard the rights and freedoms of those who pray.
“I hope it will encourage deepened solidarity for us to urgently work together to ensure every person can enjoy the right to believe, to worship, and to live in peace… Barbz.” She said
The UN dialogue follows US President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention against Islamic terrorists in Nigeria if attacks on Christians do not cease. This declaration came after he designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a claim that the Nigerian government has since rejected.
