US Congress moves to sanction Kwankwaso, fulani groups in religious freedom bill
Five members of the United States House of Representatives have introduced a bill aimed at addressing ongoing religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, would require the US Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report to Congress detailing efforts by the United States to respond to religious violence in the West African country.
If passed into law, the bill would direct the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions — including visa bans and asset freezes — on individuals and entities found responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Those listed in the bill for potential sanctions include Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State and 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 described as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.”
The legislation was introduced on Tuesday by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore (the bill’s lead author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
According to a copy of the bill, the sponsors commended US President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations, describing the move as justified.
The lawmakers urged the US government to deploy “all available diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools” to pressure the Nigerian government to end impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and protect Christian communities, clergy, and other targeted religious minorities.
The bill also calls on the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria meet the criteria for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
