The United States of America has imposed a visa ban on individuals who have directed, authorised or supported violations of religious freedom. The restriction may also affect their immediate family members.
The Department of State, in a statement yesterday titled: ‘Combating Egregious Anti-Christian Violence in Nigeria and Globally,’ said the United States was taking a decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical terrorists, ethnic militia and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond. But the statement did not name the affected officials.
The statement said: “A new policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will allow the State Department to restrict visa issuance to individuals who have directed, authorised, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom and, where appropriate, their immediate family members.
“As President Trump made clear, the ‘United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.’ This policy will apply to Nigeria and any other governments or individuals engaged in violations of religious freedom.”
President Trump last month designated Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians.
This has been denied by the Federal Government and many well-meaning Nigerians.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris affirmed that there is no government complicity in the insurgency in parts of the country.
He said the criminal elements terrorizing Nigerians do not spare any religion in their dastardly attacks.
