The United States government has unveiled a new policy aimed at holding accountable individuals involved in mass killings and violent attacks against Christians and other religious groups in Nigeria and across the globe.
In a statement released to Nigerian Newssphere by the State Department on Wednesday, the measures—implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act—empower Washington to restrict visa issuance to anyone who has directed, authorized, supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.
The policy directive noted that restrictions may also extend to the immediate family members of such individuals.
The policy comes amid ongoing violence linked to radical Islamic terror groups, Fulani militias, and other non-state actors accused of targeting Christian communities and engaging in widespread human rights abuses in Nigeria.
President Donald Trump emphasized the administration’s stance, saying the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries.”
The new directive is expected to apply to individuals and government actors in Nigeria as well as in any other country where violations of religious freedom are documented, marking a significant escalation in US pressure against perpetrators of religious persecution.
This comes weeks after Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over rising insecurity.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that mass abduction and killings have surged across Nigeria in the past weeks.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a step to end the menace, declared an emergency on insecurity.
Barely a day ago, Nigeria’s Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar resigned as Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as his replacement.
