US Imposes Visa Ban on Nigerians Linked to Anti-Christian Killings

• The United States has introduced new visa ban targeting individuals accused of supporting or carrying out violent attacks against Christians in Nigeria and beyond, citing rising concerns over religious persecution.

The United States government has unveiled plans to impose visa restrictions on individuals accused of orchestrating or supporting violent attacks against Christians in Nigeria and other countries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 3, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the decision followed repeated “mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond.”

Rubio explained that the measure, implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, empowers the State Department to deny visas to anyone who has “directed, authorised, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom.” In applicable cases, their immediate family members may also be affected.

He referenced an earlier directive by former President Donald Trump, stressing that the US “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.”

According to Rubio, the policy will apply to Nigeria and any other country where individuals or authorities are found to be violating religious freedoms.

The announcement comes amid heightened concern in the US over alleged attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. On Tuesday, American lawmakers held a joint congressional briefing on what some described as an “alleged Christian genocide” in the country. The session, led by senior members of key congressional committees, gathered testimonies for an upcoming report commissioned by Trump.

The briefing forms part of the broader US review of Nigeria’s security situation as both nations move to strengthen strategic cooperation. President Bola Tinubu recently approved Nigeria’s delegation to the new US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, headed by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The team, comprising top ministers and security chiefs, is tasked with improving counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, border security, and civilian protection.

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The renewed US focus follows growing concerns over terrorism, banditry, and alleged targeted attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.

Trump had earlier placed Nigeria on a watchlist for “Christian genocide,” citing alleged grave violations of religious freedom and warning that Christianity faced an “existential threat” in the country. He further suggested that the US could consider stronger actions—including possible military intervention—if Nigeria failed to curb the violence.

Nigeria was first designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the Trump administration in 2020, but the designation was later removed under President Joe Biden.