Trump Begins Action Against Sponsors of Religious Violence in Nigeria

…Bans Funders, Supporters, and Their Families from Entering the U.S.

By Yinka Giwa

The United States government has announced sweeping visa restrictions on Nigerians implicated in sponsoring or supporting persecution of Christians, in what it describes as a firm response to rising religiously motivated violence in the country.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announcing the policy yesterday on his X handle, said Washington will no longer tolerate acts that undermine religious freedom in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.

“The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world,” Rubio wrote. “The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom. This applies to Nigeria and any individuals or governments involved in such persecution.”

The sanctions fall under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, empowering the State Department to bar entry to anyone who has directed, authorized, significantly supported, or participated in religious freedom violations—including their immediate family members.

According to Rubio, President Donald Trump is personally driving the move. “President Trump has made it clear that the United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries,” he said.

The latest action comes amid intensifying US scrutiny of Nigeria’s security environment. On Tuesday, the US Congress convened a briefing to discuss Trump’s renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC)—the second time he has issued such a designation after the first in 2020.

Trump’s classification was followed by an open threat of military intervention, citing what he called the mass killing of Christians in Nigeria.

Last month, the US House of Representatives held its first formal briefing on the directive, condemning escalating insecurity and urging the Nigerian government to act decisively.

Since the designation, Nigerian authorities have unveiled multiple measures, including declaring a national security emergency and directing the recruitment of additional security personnel.

Although the administration of President Bola Tinubu denies claims that Christians are being systematically targeted, it insists it remains fully committed to securing the country. In response to the rising pressure from Washington, Tinubu has also approved Nigeria’s team for the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on security.