US Lawmakers introduce Bill seeking sanctions against Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah over alleged religious freedom violations

Five members of the United States Congress have introduced a bill proposing visa restrictions and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and others over alleged severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

The proposed legislation, titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.

If passed into law, the bill would mandate the U.S. Secretary of State to submit periodic reports to Congress assessing Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations and outlining measures taken to safeguard vulnerable communities.

The lawmakers are also seeking the imposition of targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, including visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities accused of involvement in or enabling serious religious freedom violations.

In the draft legislation, the sponsors specifically named:

Fulani-ethnic nomad militias operating in Nigeria

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)

Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore

The bill further directs the U.S. Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias should be designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs).

The sponsors cited reports estimating that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria between 2009 and 2025, alongside the destruction of over 19,000 churches. They referenced violent incidents including the Yelwata attacks, the Christmas Eve massacres of 2023 and 2024, as well as the Holy Week and Easter attacks of 2024 and 2025, which they alleged resulted in more than 9,500 deaths and displaced over 500,000 people.

According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, Nigeria accounts for 72 per cent of Christians killed worldwide, a statistic the lawmakers described as alarming.

The bill also highlighted high-profile cases such as those of Rhoda Jatau and Deborah Yakubu, who were victims of mob violence or imprisonment over alleged blasphemy, noting that perpetrators of such attacks are rarely brought to justice.

The sponsors commended U.S. President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom issues, arguing that successive Nigerian administrations have failed to effectively prevent religiously motivated violence or hold perpetrators accountable.

In addition to sanctions, the legislation proposes that the United States deliver humanitarian assistance — co-funded by the Nigerian government — through trusted civil society and faith-based organisations operating in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

It also calls for enhanced security cooperation frameworks aimed at ending impunity for perpetrators of religious violence and strengthening protections for at-risk populations.

Furthermore, the bill urges collaboration with international partners including France, Hungary and the United Kingdom to promote religious tolerance, peacebuilding and stability in Nigeria.

The lawmakers stated that the future trajectory of U.S.–Nigeria relations would be influenced by the Nigerian government’s response to the allegations, stressing that Nigeria could play a stabilising role in the Sahel and deepen strategic ties with Washington if decisive steps are taken to combat persecution and protect vulnerable communities.