The U.S. will limit visa issuance to those Nigerian citizens and their family members involved in violence against Christians, the U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday, according to LETA citing AP.
Attacks on Christian communities are part of a protracted and complex security crisis in Nigeria. U.S. President Donald Trump recently focused attention on this country due to "the killings of Christians perpetrated by radical Islamists."
In November, Trump also stated that he had directed the Pentagon to begin planning a possible military operation in Nigeria following reports of the persecution of Christians in the country.
"The U.S. is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians perpetrated by radical Islamist terrorists, Fulani militants, and other violent groups in Nigeria and other countries," said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the social network X.
He added that this policy would also extend to other governments or individuals involved in violations of religious freedom, and that these restrictions align with the new policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Last month, the U.S. designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" under the International Religious Freedom Act.
This list also includes Eritrea, Iran, Russia, Cuba, China, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and North Korea.
It remains unclear how exactly the restrictions imposed on Wednesday will be applied, as the State Department already has the authority to limit travel to the U.S. for individuals involved in human rights violations.
Nigeria has a population of about 220 million people, roughly half of whom are Christians and the other half Muslims.
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