US Congress Bill Targets Nigerian Groups Over Religious Freedom Violations, Proposes Sanctions and Aid Conditions
A new bill introduced in the United States Congress has proposed targeted sanctions and restrictive measures against individuals and organisations alleged to have committed serious violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The legislation, sponsored by Representative Smith Christopher, specifically named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities implicated in abuses. The bill recommends sanctions such as visa restrictions and asset freezes against members of these groups.
Presenting the bill, Christopher commended President Donald Trump for re-designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, a designation reserved for states accused of severe violations of religious liberty. He stated that the Nigerian government must be held accountable for complicity in religious persecution by groups such as Boko Haram and Fulani militants.
The bill further noted that the US has placed Fulani Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on its Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) list, which applies to non-state actors engaged in egregious violations of religious freedom.
Beyond sanctions, the bill proposes:
– Direct humanitarian assistance to faith-based organisations supporting internally displaced persons in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
– Conditionality of US foreign assistance, including health programme funding, on Nigeria’s demonstrable actions to address religious freedom violations.
– Development of long-term strategies to promote peace and stability, requiring Nigeria to prevent persecution, prosecute perpetrators of violence, support displaced persons, and uphold constitutional protections for religious freedom.
On the same day, Senator Ted Cruz announced his sponsorship of the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, aimed at protecting Christians and other religious minorities from persecution.
Following Nigeria’s CPC designation, President Trump warned of possible military intervention should Nigerian leaders fail to protect Christians. Reports indicate that the US Africa Command has prepared contingency plans for potential airstrikes in Nigeria, pursuant to directives from the Pentagon to develop operational options consistent with Trump’s orders.
