A group of five Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives has introduced legislation that could trigger visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah groups, and entities described as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.
The proposed law, titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, seeks to mandate the US Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress on American efforts to address what the sponsors describe as persistent religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
If enacted, the bill would require the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals and organisations accused of severe violations of religious freedom — or explain to Congress why such sanctions were not applied.
Those named in the bill for potential sanctions include Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP); the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore; and groups identified as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias.
The legislation was introduced by Congressmen Riley Moore (lead sponsor), Chris Smith, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
According to a copy of the bill, the sponsors praised President Donald Trump’s decision in November 2025 to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations, arguing that the US must intensify diplomatic, economic, humanitarian, and security pressure on the Nigerian government to protect Christian communities, clergy, and other vulnerable religious minorities.
The bill also directs the Secretary of State to assess whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria meet the criteria for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organisations.
It further proposes that humanitarian assistance to affected communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt be delivered through trusted civil society and faith-based organisations, with co-funding from the Nigerian government.
Moore has repeatedly raised concerns about what he describes as systemic persecution of Christians in Nigeria and visited the country in November 2025 in connection with the issue.
President Trump’s CPC redesignation allows the US executive branch to deploy a range of diplomatic and economic measures. He also authorised coordinated strikes with Nigerian authorities against suspected militants on Christmas Day 2025.
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