A new bill introduced in the U.S. Congress has proposed “targeted sanctions and other restrictive measures” against individuals and groups accused of severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The legislation specifically named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities implicated in these abuses.
The bill, introduced by House of Representatives member Christopher Smith, proposed imposing sanctions on members of the groups, including “visa restrictions and asset freezes.”
Read Also: US Military Presents Plan For Potential Action In Nigeria
Smith presented the bill on Tuesday while “commending US President Donald Trump for re-designating Nigeria a country of particular concern (CPC).”
Smith stated: “President Donald J. Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.”
In the bill, Christopher noted that the U.S. has also placed “Fulani Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau States on its Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) list under the International Religious Freedom Act; EPCs are defined as “non-state actors that have committed especially severe violations of religious freedom under U.S. law.”
The legislation also called for “conditioning US foreign assistance,” including global health funding, on “immediate actions to address religious freedom violations.”
It urged the development of long-term strategies to promote peace and stability, specifically requiring the Nigerian government to take “swift and effective measures to prevent religious persecution, prosecute those responsible for violence, provide support for millions of internally displaced persons, and uphold constitutional protections for religious freedom.”
Finally, the bill suggested that the U.S. “should provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based groups to support internally displaced people in Nigeria’s middle belt states.”
Christopher’s bill was introduced on the same day that U.S. Senator Ted Cruz announced his commitment to holding Nigerian officials accountable by championing the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which is designed to protect religious minorities.
This came after Trump also “warned of possible military action in Nigeria” if its leaders failed to protect Christians in the country.
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
