U.S BEGINS VISA BAN ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VIOLATORS IN NIGERIA

The United States has begun enforcing a new visa restriction policy aimed at individuals accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria, according to Mark Walker, the US principal adviser for global religious freedom.

The policy, announced in December by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targets those who “knowingly direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.”

It forms part of broader US action in response to what officials described as “atrocities and violence against Christians” in Nigeria and globally. 

The move followed a resolution introduced by Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, which recommended visa bans and asset freezes for individuals and organisations linked to severe religious freedom ab¥ses.  

The resolution specifically named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities of concern. Providing an update on Friday via X, Walker confirmed that enforcement is already underway. 

“We have already executed on this policy, and we will continue to subject perpetrators to additional scrutiny,” he said, without naming those affected. He added a strong warning, “If you engage in p£rsecution, you are not welcome in America. The United States is safer when we keep those responsible for religious p£rsecution from entering our homeland.”

In February, US lawmakers also proposed sanctions against Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, alleging his complicity in religious freedom violations.

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING ON RWGBLOG NEWS

DAVID MARK BOWS OUT AS ADC INTERIM CHAIRMAN, RALPH NWOSU SET TO LEAD PARTY TO CONVENTION

Image
Fresh developments within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) indicate that Senator David Mark has reportedly agreed to step aside as interim national chairman, paving the way for former party chairman Ralph Nwosu to take charge of the leadership process ahead of the party’s national convention. The move comes amid the ongoing leadership dispute and growing pressure over the legality of the current structure following recent actions by INEC.  Party insiders say the decision is aimed at stabilising the ADC and allowing the convention process to move forward under a familiar leadership figure. Ralph Nwosu, who previously handed over the party structure to David Mark, is now expected to supervise the convention and help resolve internal tensions as the opposition coalition prepares for the 2027 elections. The development has already triggered strong reactions within political circles, with many seeing it as a major twist in the ADC’s power struggle.
Read more

OGONI DAUGHTER EMERGES AS RIVERS POLICE COMMAND'S NEW SPOKESPERSON

Image
The Rivers State Police Command has announced the appointment of ASP Agabe Blessing as its new Public Relations Officer, signaling a fresh leadership update within the Command. ASP Agabe Blessing, a native of Deeyor Kira in Tai Local Government Area, takes over from Grace Iringe-Koko, whose tenure as the Command’s spokesperson has officially concluded.
Read more

SENIOR AL-SHABAAB COMMANDER CAPTURED IN PRECISION OPERATION IN SOMALIA

Image
A senior commander of Al-Shabaab has been captured in a highly coordinated counterterrorism operation conducted by forces of Somali National Army (SNA), marking a significant blow to the militant network in southern Somalia. The operation was carried out by elite units of the SNA, notably the 203rd Unit of the 20th Brigade under the Gorgor Commandos, in a carefully planned, intelligence-driven raid. The high-value target, identified as Salaad Macalin Cusmaan Cabdiyow, also known as “Salaad Dheere,” was apprehended in the village of Soo-Maray, located approximately 5 kilometers west of Mubaarak in the Lower Shabelle region. According to security sources, Salaad Dheere was a key operational figure within Al-Shabaab’s insurgency network, responsible for coordinating militant activities and sustaining operations across Lower Shabelle. His capture represents a major tactical and operational victory for Somali forces and their partners, including the African Union mission in Soma...
Read more

"MISPLACED PRIORITIES: TAMBARI JACOB SLAMS RIVERS LG CHAIRMAN OVER TRANSFORMER DONATION TO COMMUNITY WITHOUT POLES OR WIRING"

Image
A member of Kaani community have expressed anger and disappointment over what he describe as a misplaced priority by their Local Government Area (LGA) chairman, following the donation of a transformer to a community with no electricity infrastructure. Speaking from Be-laka Compound, Tambari Jacob criticized the move, noting that Kaani lacks basic facilities required to utilize the transformer, including electrical poles and any prior connection to power supply. “Demanding accountability must be rooted in honesty,” Tambari stated, comparing the situation to sponsoring someone without the ability to compete. “How can a transformer be donated to a community that has never had electricity? There are no poles, no connections—nothing.” He described the donation as a mockery of the people, arguing that it fails to address the real needs of the community. Tambari Jacob further recalled that during the chairman’s first tenure, promises were made to renovate the local secondary schoo...
Read more

2027: "I WANT TO ASSURE NIGERIANS THAT THE 2027 ELECTION WILL BE FREE FAIR AND CREDIBLE." - JOASH AMUTIPAN, INEC CHAIR

Image
Professor Josh Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, said he is committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections in 2027 and wants every Nigerian to know that their vote will count.  He gave the assurance during an interview with Arise News while addressing widespread public cynicism about the integrity of the electoral process. He said the commission is taking aggressive steps on voter education, mobilisation and security to counter both apathy and intimidation. Amupitan added that the revalidation exercise is itself part of the effort to improve the quality and credibility of the voters register ahead of the election. He said: "I want to assure Nigerians that the 2027 election will be fair. I still stand on it. The 2027 election will be free and credible.  We are embarking on very aggressive voters education not only to assure people that their votes will count but also to teach them about the electoral processes and to enc...
Read more

INEC COMMISSIONER CONFIRMS WIKE GAVE FCT LAND TO ELECTORAL COMMISSION OFFICIALS - SOURCE SAHARA REPORTERS

Image
Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has firmly denied allegations that over 29 of its top officials received $50,000 bribes, describing the claims as unfounded. The denial comes amid growing concerns sparked by recent reports alleging possible undue influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC maintained that the land allocations in question followed all due procedures, stressing that beneficiaries applied through proper channels and paid the required fees. However, sources familiar with the matter claim that some of the allocated plots are valued at over ₦180 million, intensifying public scrutiny and controversy surrounding the issue. Further allegations suggest that certain beneficiaries may have received financial assistance or special waivers to secure ownership of the properties. The situation has heightened political tension between INEC and opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as de...
Read more

ANOTHER FACTION EMERGES IN ADC, DISSOCIATES FROM DAVID MARK-LED COALITION AND NAFIU BALA'S GROUP

Image
Another Faction Emerges in ADC, Dissociates from David Mark-Led Coalition and Nafiu Bala’s Group A fresh faction has surfaced within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring itself the authentic leadership of the party and distancing itself from both the Senator David Mark-led opposition coalition and the faction associated with Nafiu Bala. The new group, led by Don Norman Obinna, claims to be the duly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members of the ADC.  At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the faction stated that the tenure of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu who handed over the party to the David Mark group officially ended in August 2022. It accused Nwosu of clinging to power illegally, which triggered multiple litigations. The group described Nwosu’s handover of the party to the opposition coalition as “an illegal act.” In a series of key resolutions announced during the briefing, the Obinna-led faction: - Fully dissociated itself from Sen...
Read more

GOVERNOR FUBARA'S ABSENCE AT LATE SENATOR MPIGI'S NIGHT OF TRIBUTE SPARKS CONCERNS

Image
The absence of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at the Night of Tribute organised in honour of the late Senator Barinada Barry Mpigi has continued to generate political discourse across the state. The well-attended Night of Tribute, held in Port Harcourt, drew several political leaders, traditional rulers, and associates of the deceased lawmaker who passed away in February 2026 at the age of 64. However, notable observers pointed out the conspicuous absence of the state governor. Senator Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly and previously served as a member of the House of Representatives, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician with strong ties across the state. His death triggered an outpouring of tributes from various quarters, including from Governor Fubara himself, who had earlier described the late senator as a brother and a committed leader whose services were still needed by the people of Rivers St...
Read more

BROADCASTERS ASK WIKE TO PUBLICLY APOLOGISE TO SEUN OKINBALOYE, THREATEN BOYCOTT OF HIS BRIEFINGS

Image
The Independent Broadcast Association of Nigeria (IBAN) has asked Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to retract a remark he made about Seun Okinbaloye, a journalist with Channels Television. IBAN is the umbrella body for all independent broadcast stations in Nigeria. The group also threatened to boycott all media engagements organised by the minister if he does not publicly apologise to the journalist. In a statement signed by Ahmed Ramalan, IBAN chairman; and Fidelis Duker, acting general secretary; the association expressed concern over the implications of the comment aired during a live television interview.
Read more

DEBORAH MBARA, THE LADY BLESSING CEO, ALLEGEDLY DOCTORED HER CANCER REPORT, HAS FINALLY BROKEN HER SILENCE, NARRATING WHAT HAPPENED.

Image
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Mrs Deborah shared her encounter with Blessing. She said in part, "Sometime last year, Blessing CEO was in Asaba, and I was her makeup artist. Fast forward to last week, when she started flying online, saying that she had stage 4 cancer, crying, and selling off her properties.  My friend called her to check up on her. I was even praying with her. We even got a doctor on the call helping us educate her. I was still trying to encourage her, telling her how God saw me through my own, telling her about the scars. Then she said, 'Zazi, can you just please help me send your own report when you were diagnosed so I could compare it with the one my doctor gave to me.' I said, 'ok no problem'. Only for me to see on social media on Friday that it was my result that she doctored to back up the nonsense and money people were donating to her." "She said she doesn't know me and has never spoken to any of my family...
Read more