Former senator representing Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has come under criticism on social media following comments he made about Miyetti Allah and Kautal Hore in reaction to a proposed United States bill on religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
Sani, in a post on his X handle on Thursday, said that while any group involved in killing or kidnapping innocent people deserved to be designated a terrorist organisation, US lawmakers should undertake broader and deeper research before reaching conclusions.
His remarks were in response to a bill before the US House of Representatives titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast and Bill Huizenga, recommends visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals and entities accused of complicity in religious persecution.
Among those named in the bill are former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
In his post, Sani wrote: “Any group that picks up arms to kill or kidnap innocent people under any guise is deserving of being designated as a terrorist group. But the US lawmakers need to do deeper and broader research to get their facts right.
“Senator Kwankwaso has never been an extremist who condoned, supported or encouraged any act of religious persecution, violence or discrimination. His conduct while in office can be verified.
“It should also be noted that in some cases, the leadership of Miyetti Allah and Kautal Hore are themselves targets of bandits and terrorists. A bill that would have political, historical and global significance must be a product of meticulous, intelligent and comprehensive research.”
While some social media users agreed with his defence of Kwankwaso, others strongly criticised his remarks regarding Miyetti Allah and Kautal Hore.
A user identified as David Eboh (@DavidEboh5) wrote that while it was understandable for Sani to vouch for Kwankwaso, attempting to “absolve Miyetti Allah and Kautal Hore” was unacceptable. He added that US lawmakers rely on verifiable data and that Miyetti Allah’s reputation could not be dismissed.
Another user, Felix Adejimi (@adejimi_felix), questioned Sani’s position, asking whether groups involved in violent clashes could be considered innocent.
Similarly, Olatoye (@emoldmyself) accused the former senator of attempting to protect the leadership of the groups, while Edward Oche (@EdwardOche64774) argued that Kwankwaso should personally clear his name and criticised Sani’s remarks about the need for further US research.
The exchange has since generated significant debate online, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding allegations of terrorism, religious persecution, and international scrutiny of Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
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