US Sanctions Nigeria, Places Visa Ban on Individuals ‘Indicted’ on Alleged ‘Christian Genocide’
The United States of America has announced visa restrictions on some Nigerians its intelligence has identified as being involved in funding or supporting genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, made the announcement in a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the visa policy applies to Nigeria as well as other governments or individuals implicated in the alleged massacre of Nigerian Christians.
The statement reads: “The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world.
“The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.
“This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”
President Trump had earlier declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” on the allegations that there is an ongoing Christian genocide in the country, an allegation Nigerian government has vehemently denied.
The US Congress has held debates on the position of President Trump, ehile the Nigerian government has taken series of decision to mitigate the situation and restore confidence on both the government and the country.
Last week President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency. He sacked the Defence minister, Mr. Abubakar Badaru and nominiated immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa as his replacement.
Gen Musa was on Wednesday screened and confirmed by the Senate and he is expected to be sworn into office today (Thursday).
Most Nigerians believe that the government should do more to reign in the escalating insecurity in the country which has led to heavy military losses, while terrorists have upped their violence against unarmed Nigerian.
In the last two weeks, more than 400 Nigerians, mostly school pupils and their teachers were kidnapped in Niger, Kebbi, Borno, and Kwara states.
Over 200 pupils and teachers of the St Mary Cthaolic Private School in Papiri, Niger State are still in captivity, while a Nigerian Army Brig Gen, was abducted and later killed after his troops were attacked by ISWAP terrorists in Borno State.
