Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The United States of America has announced visa restrictions on individuals and entities implicated in genocidal attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the announcement yesterday (Wednesday) in a post on X.
Rubio said the visa ban targets those who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support or carry out violations of religious freedom.”
His statement comes a day after US lawmakers convened a roundtable in Washington with religious freedom and foreign relations experts to examine Nigeria’s escalating violence and what they described as the “targeted persecution” of Christians.
The Secretary of State noted that the visa policy applies to Nigeria as well as other governments or individuals involved in the persecution of people based on their religious beliefs. He added that the move is part of Washington’s “decisive action” in response to atrocities against Christians in Nigeria and globally.
He wrote: “The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorise, fund, 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 congressional roundtable formed part of ongoing investigations ordered by President Donald Trump.
Last month, Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, introduced a resolution recommending visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and organisations responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
Smith, who also participated in Tuesday’s roundtable, listed the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore among the entities implicated. He further recommended that the US designate “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau States as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act.
In its reaction, MACBAN urged the US Congress to withdraw the recommendation, arguing that the resolution conflates criminal gangs—who operate independently—with law-abiding pastoralists, many of whom are also victims of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
During the discussions, Smith accused the Nigerian government of complicity in the alleged “religious persecution.”
