US to restrict visas for those involved in anti-Christian violence in Nigeria
In November, Trump threatened military action, including possible US troops on the ground or air strikes, if the Nigerian government failed to stop the 'killing of Christians'.
Rights groups say Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. (File Photo)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the US will restrict visas for those involved in violence against Christians in countries including Nigeria.
Rubio said in a statement Wednesday that he’d added a new policy under existing rules that will allow the State Department to restrict visa issuance to people “who have directed, authorised, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom” and their families.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Ukrainian officials. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
US designated Nigeria as country of particular concern
He said he took the step “in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond.”
The move comes weeks after the US designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act.
In November, Trump threatened military action, including possible US troops on the ground or air strikes, if the Nigerian government failed to stop the ‘killing of Christians’.
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According to The Associated Press, it wasn’t immediately clear how the new policy would be implemented, as the State Department already had the ability to restrict travel to the US by those involved in human rights abuses.
Apart from Nigeria, the US has designated China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as “countries of particular concern.”
Christians make up around half of Nigeria’s population. (Photo: Reuters)
Violence against Christians in Nigeria
Rights groups say Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. According to the Alliance Defending Freedom International, in 2025 alone, more than 7,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria.
Since Boko Haram launched its insurgency in 2009, between 50,000 and 100,000 Christians have lost their lives in violent attacks, the group said.
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Rights groups say Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. (File Photo) 
