In brief
Nicki Minaj took a stand at a UN event, echoing claims by Trump regarding the persecution faced by Christians in Nigeria. Highlighting the burning of churches and societal division, she called for solidarity and recognition of Nigeria's crisis. The Nigerian government maintains that the ongoing violence affects all citizens, regardless of faith. Minaj’s intervention marks her highest-profile political stance to date.
Nicki Minaj - the US-based, multi-million-selling Trinidadian rapper - has publicly backed President Donald Trump's allegations that Christians face persecution in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, Minaj said on Tuesday at a UN event organised by the US, adding that Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart … simply because of how they pray.
It follows recent threats by Trump to send troops into Nigeria guns a-blazing if its government continues to allow the killing of Christians.
But the Nigerian presidency says the widespread violence that has long plagued the West African nation affects everyone, regardless of background or belief.
Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, said calling for the protection of Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people, but about uniting humanity.
This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It's about what I've always stood for, she added while standing alongside the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz.
The 42-year-old rapper thanked Trump for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership.
She described Nigeria as a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions and even acknowledged the beautiful Barbz - her fans - in the West African country.
Waltz thanked the rapper for leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria.
For months, right-wing campaigners and politicians in Washington have been alleging that Islamist militants were systematically targeting Christians in Nigeria.
Deadly disputes are also often over vital resources like land and water or fuelled by inter-ethnic tensions, rather than religion, say analysts.
Nigeria's government does not deny that there is deadly violence in the country. But says that, Terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology - Muslims, Christians and those of no faith alike.
Minaj previously namechecked her fanbase, known as the Barbz, as a reason for her intervention, saying online: The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We've been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.
Her appearance at the UN on Tuesday is her highest-profile political intervention to date.
