US Considers Visa Restrictions Over Alleged Killings of Christians in Nigeria

The United States Department of State has announced new measures aimed at addressing what it described as widespread killings and attacks against Christians in Nigeria, signaling that visa restrictions may soon be imposed on those linked to the violence.

In a statement released on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was responding firmly to what it considers persistent faith-based attacks carried out by extremist groups and armed militias in Nigeria and other regions.

According to Rubio, the new measures are being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the government authority to deny visas to individuals who have directed, authorised, significantly supported, or participated in violations of religious freedom. The policy also allows for the extension of such restrictions to immediate family members where applicable.

Rubio noted that these restrictions could apply to Nigeria and any other country where individuals or authorities are found to be complicit in religious persecution, stressing the United States’ growing concern over the safety of vulnerable faith communities.

The announcement followed a high-level briefing by members of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, where lawmakers raised concerns about the increasing scale of religious violence in Nigeria. The session was convened at the directive of President Donald Trump, who had earlier instructed the House Appropriations Committee to investigate reports of mass killings of Christians in the country.

The briefing was led by House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart and included members of both the Appropriations and Foreign Affairs Committees, alongside experts on international religious freedom. Participants included lawmakers Robert Aderholt, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, and Chris Smith, as well as Vicky Hartzler of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Sean Nelson of Alliance Defending Freedom International, and Dr Ebenezer Obadare of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved Nigeria’s delegation to a newly established US–Nigeria Joint Working Group, set up to implement security agreements reached during recent high-level engagements in Washington led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The renewed US attention follows escalating concerns over terrorism, banditry, and targeted attacks on Christian communities across parts of Nigeria, prompting stronger warnings from Washington about the protection of religious minorities.

On October 31, 2025, President Trump placed Nigeria on the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) over reported violations of religious freedom, particularly the killing of Christians. Nigeria had previously been designated a CPC in December 2020 during Trump’s first term, before the status was lifted under the administration of President Joe Biden.

Following the renewed designation, President Trump stated on November 3 that his administration would consider possible military options to protect Christians facing violence in Nigeria.

Further escalation occurred on November 20, when the US House Subcommittee on Africa convened a public hearing to review Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern. Lawmakers examined the possible consequences of the action, including the likelihood of sanctions against Nigerian officials found to be complicit in acts of religious persecution.