The United States has announced plans to impose visa restrictions on Nigerians allegedly involved in violence against Christians. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US is taking decisive action in response to the “mass killings and violence” against Christians in Nigeria. The restrictions will apply to individuals and their families deemed responsible, including “radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors” in Nigeria and beyond.

This policy will also be applied to other governments or individuals found to be violating religious freedom. The move comes after President Donald Trump threatened military action in Nigeria over the persecution of Christians by radical Islamists and designated the country a “Country of Particular Concern”. However, the Nigerian government has disputed these claims, attributing the attacks to criminal motives, land disputes, and resource competition rather than religious faith.

Human rights experts argue that more Muslims have been killed by the Islamist Boko Haram group than Christians. Nigeria, with a population of approximately 220 million people, is roughly evenly split between Christians and Muslims, and is home to over 200 ethnic groups. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts, including the Boko Haram extremist group, bandits targeting farmers, and clashes between pastoralists and local communities. Additionally, there has been a surge in the activities of armed gangs in the central part of the country who kidnap locals for ransom.

The US visa restrictions are seen as a significant development in the ongoing situation in Nigeria. The Nigerian government’s denial of religious persecution and the US’s assertion of such persecution highlight the complexity of the issue. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US restrictions will impact Nigeria and its relations with the international community. The US has emphasized its commitment to protecting religious freedom and holding perpetrators of violence accountable, and it is likely that the situation will continue to be closely monitored by the international community.