Popular American rapper Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty on Tuesday affirmed that Christians are being targeted and killed en masse in Nigeria, while calling for urgent action to combat extremism and defend churchgoers in the West African country.

“Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed. Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray,” the ‘Pink Friday’ rapper said during a speech at the United Nations on Tuesday.

Nicki Minaj’s speech followed an official invitation from the White House to address a UN conference and experts on the alleged ongoing violence against Christians in Nigeria after she came out in support of the decision by President Donald Trump to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern.

During her remarks, the 42-year-old thanked Mr Trump for the steps he has taken so far to put a global spotlight on the situation of Nigerian Christians, noting that freedom of religion and belief should be natural rights.

“I would like to thank President Trump for prioritising this issue and his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria and to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to express their natural right to freedom of religion or belief,” Nicki Minaj said.

She added, “Music has taken me around the globe. I have seen how people, no matter their language, culture or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul. Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe. But today, faith is under attack in way too many places.”

Speaking further, Nicki Minaj stressed that her decision to champion the situation in Nigeria was not to divide or take sides after receiving criticism over her position, noting that “It is about what I have always stood for my entire career, and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life”.