Olayiwola Matthew
The United States has introduced a bill targeting individuals and groups allegedly involved in religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, sponsored by Rep. Riley Moore and Rep. Chris Smith, proposes visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, and associations like Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The bill states that the US should deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Nigerian government, through trusted faith-based and non-governmental organizations in Nigeria’s middle belt states.
It also recommends sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against individuals or entities responsible for religious freedom violations.
The bill requires the US Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani militias qualify as foreign terrorist organizations under US law.
The bill partly read, “The United States should deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Government of Nigeria, through trusted faith-based and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria’s middle belt states; the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, on individuals or entities responsible for religious freedom violations, including (A) Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria, (B) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor (C) Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and (D) Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.”
Rep. Moore emphasized that the legislation builds on previous US measures, including Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.
Moore wrote on X, “Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith.
“The US is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world.
“Our legislation will build upon the momentum of President Trump designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.”