US Lawmakers Propose Sanctions on Nigerian Groups Over Religious Freedom Violations — The Bureau News Nigeria News Today
By Amanabo Ocholi | The Bureau News
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new bill before the United States Congress has proposed targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations accused of orchestrating severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, marking a renewed phase in Washington’s scrutiny of the country’s human-rights record.
The bill, introduced on Tuesday by U.S. lawmaker Representative Christopher Smith, specifically named the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as culpable entities linked to violent attacks and religiously motivated killings.
The legislation recommends visa restrictions and asset freezes on members of these groups allegedly involved in orchestrating or enabling religious persecution in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions.
Trump’s Redesignation of Nigeria Gains Momentum
Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commended former U.S. President Donald Trump for his decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) — a status reserved for nations found to engage in or tolerate “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom under U.S. law.
In the bill, Smith further urged the U.S. government to classify Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
“EPCs refer to non-state actors implicated in major violations of religious freedom. Previous groups under this category include Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Sahel, the Houthis, and the Taliban,” Smith stated.
Senator Ted Cruz Renews Pressure on Nigerian Officials
In a parallel statement, Senator Ted Cruz renewed calls for accountability against Nigerian officials accused of turning a blind eye to attacks on Christians and other minorities.
“I intend to be very explicit about who they are in the coming days and weeks,” Cruz warned.
Earlier in October, the Texas Senator had introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which seeks sanctions on federal and state officials who “promoted, enacted, or maintained blasphemy laws” in Nigeria through policy or executive directives.
Nigerian Government Dismisses Allegations
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed the allegations as misguided and politically motivated, insisting that religion is not the core driver of the country’s complex insecurity.
Officials argue that Nigeria’s security challenges stem largely from banditry, criminality, and socioeconomic pressures, not from state-endorsed persecution of any faith group.
“Insecurity in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims alike,” a senior government source said. “It is inaccurate to frame it as religiously driven violence sanctioned by the state.”
Analysts say the bill could reshape Washington’s diplomatic posture toward Abuja and intensify global pressure on Nigeria to strengthen its human-rights and accountability mechanisms.