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The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced that Washington will impose new visa restrictions on officials, individuals, or governments involved in violations of religious freedom, starting with Nigeria.
“United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world,” Rubio stated in a statement released this Wednesday on his X account.
The State Department reported that the restrictions will affect anyone who directs, authorizes, finances, supports, or carries out violations of religious freedom.
The measure may also be applied to immediate family members of those responsible, as clarified by the Secretary of State.
Rubio explained that the decision is in response to "the mass killings and violence against Christians perpetrated by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent groups in Nigeria and beyond."
Although Nigeria was the first country identified, the policy will extend to "other governments or individuals involved in religious persecutions."
President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" in October, following reports of serious violations of religious freedom and systematic attacks against Christian communities.
Trump also tasked Congress and Republican representatives —including Riley Moore and Tom Cole— to further investigate the situation and present a report on religious persecution in that African country.
On November 2, the Ministry of Defense requested to prepare a possible military action against Nigeria.
"The United States cannot remain indifferent while atrocities of this kind are occurring in Nigeria and in numerous other countries," Trump warned in recent statements.
According to estimates from international organizations, more than 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, with nearly 7,000 occurring in the first half of 2025 alone, most at the hands of Boko Haram or Fulani Muslim militias.
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