Five United States lawmakers have introduced a bill to the US Congress seeking sanctions against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore over alleged violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was sponsored by Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. The bill accuses the named individuals and groups of contributing to what it described as persistent persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
According to details published on the US Congress website, the bill calls on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on individuals or entities found responsible for severe religious freedom violations.
The legislation specifically mentioned Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as targets for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The bill also mandates the US Secretary of State to determine whether some Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria qualify as foreign terrorist organisations. If passed into law, the measure would require the US government to take decisive action against those it deems culpable.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Kwankwaso nor the affected organisations had responded to the allegations or commented on the proposed legislation.
The move follows the recent redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by US President Donald Trump, citing what he described as widespread persecution of Christians. The bill’s sponsors said the decision justified urgent legislative action.
Nigerian authorities have, however, repeatedly denied claims of religious persecution, insisting that the country respects religious diversity and freedom. The Federal Government has maintained that security challenges in the country are not driven by religious motives.
Late last year, President Trump threatened military intervention in Nigeria if the situation did not improve. On Christmas Day, the United States launched airstrikes targeting terrorist groups operating in Nigeria, an operation later confirmed as a joint effort between both nations.
Speaking in Washington, Trump said the strikes were aimed at weakening extremist groups responsible for attacks on Christians. He added that the operation was conducted in close coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Following these developments, Nigeria intensified diplomatic engagements with US officials and dispatched a high-powered delegation to Washington. Several US lawmakers also visited Nigeria to assess the security and religious freedom situation firsthand.
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