A new bill introduced in the US Congress proposes targeted sanctions and other restrictive measures against individuals and groups accused of serious violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The legislation specifically names the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities implicated in such abuses.
Sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith, the bill seeks sanctions on members of these groups, including visa restrictions and asset freezes. Smith presented the legislation on Tuesday, commending US President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
“President Donald J. Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists,” Smith said.
In the bill, Smith noted that the US has also placed “Fulani Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau States on its Entities of Particular Concern (EPC) list under the International Religious Freedom Act. EPCs are non-state actors identified under US law as having committed especially severe violations of religious freedom.
The legislation further calls for the US to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based organizations supporting internally displaced persons in Nigeria’s Middle Belt states.
Additionally, the bill recommends conditioning US foreign assistance — including funding through global health programs — on concrete actions by the Nigerian government to address religious freedom violations. It urges the development of long-term strategies to promote peace and stability, including measures to prevent religious persecution, prosecute perpetrators of violence, support millions of displaced persons, and uphold constitutional protections for religious freedom.
Smith’s bill was introduced the same day US Senator Ted Cruz announced his commitment to holding Nigerian officials accountable for alleged acts of genocide against Christians. Cruz is sponsoring the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which seeks to protect Christians and other religious minorities from widespread persecution in Nigeria.
Following Nigeria’s CPC redesignation, Trump also warned of potential military action if Nigerian leaders fail to protect Christians in the country.
