The United States government has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting Nigerians who are involved in actions that undermine religious freedom, particularly those related to the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
This was revealed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a post on X on Wednesday.
Rubio explained that the US will restrict visas for people who direct, support, finance or participate in activities that violate religious freedom.
The policy extends to government actors and non-state groups deemed responsible for religious persecution, including those operating within Nigeria.
He wrote: “The United States is taking decisive action in response to atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict US visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, finance, support or carry out violations of religious freedom. This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”
The announcement comes amid repeated claims by US President Donald Trump that Christian persecution exists in Nigeria.
Trump has emphasized that Christian communities across the country face escalating violence. He described the magnitude of the reported killings as alarming compared to global data and said the situation demands urgent intervention.
Previously, Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account a few weeks ago, ordered the US War Department to prepare for possible actions in Nigeria.
He accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to what he described as killings of Christians across the country.
Trump warned that the United States would immediately suspend all aid and assistance to Nigeria if attacks on Christians continue.
He also indicated that the United States could intervene militarily to eliminate what he called “Islamic terrorists” responsible for the murders.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the slaughter of Christians, the United States will immediately suspend all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go to that now-disgraced country, ‘with guns,’ to completely eliminate the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.
He further stated: “I hereby instruct our War Department to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be quick, cruel and sweet, just like terrorist thugs attack our beloved Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
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