The United States has introduced a new visa restriction policy aimed at Nigerians deemed to be involved in actions that infringe on religious freedom, particularly in cases linked to alleged persecution of Christians.
The measure was announced on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a post on X, where he stated that Washington would impose visa bans on individuals who direct, sponsor or participate in activities that undermine religious liberty.
According to Rubio, the restrictions apply not only to government officials but also to non-state actors considered responsible for religious persecution within Nigeria and elsewhere.
He wrote that the U.S. government was responding to what it described as ongoing atrocities against Christian communities in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
The development follows repeated assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has insisted that Christians in Nigeria are facing growing violence. Trump has described the reported killings as severe and called for urgent global attention.
In a post made weeks earlier on his Truth Social platform, the former president claimed the Nigerian authorities had failed to act on the situation. He warned that the U.S. would suspend all aid to Nigeria if the alleged attacks on Christians persisted.
Trump went further to suggest the possibility of military involvement, saying the United States might intervene to confront what he labelled “Islamic terrorists” accused of being behind the violence.
He also instructed the U.S. War Department to prepare for potential action, adding that any American response would be swift and forceful if triggered.
Trump wrote that the Nigerian government must act promptly to address the situation or face the consequences of U.S. policy decisions regarding aid and potential intervention.
