New U.S. Legislation Targets Nigerian Groups Over Alleged Religious Freedom Violations
A new bill has been introduced in the United States Congress that proposes visa restrictions and asset freezes on members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. This legislative move is part of broader efforts by the U.S. government to address what it describes as violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
On Friday, President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a country of particular concern and instructed Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman Tom Cole of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate alleged killings of Christians and report back to him. Despite these claims, the Nigerian Federal Government has rejected them, emphasizing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of worship. However, Trump ignored these statements and signaled the U.S. Department of War to prepare for potential action in Nigeria.
The New York Times reported that the U.S. military had drafted plans for potential action in Nigeria. On Tuesday, U.S. Congressman Christopher Smith introduced the bill, which aims to impose sanctions against individuals and groups “responsible for or complicit in severe violations of religious freedom” under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). Smith praised Trump for re-designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing ongoing reports of attacks on Christian communities in various parts of the country.
The proposed legislation also identifies “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau States as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs)—a U.S. designation reserved for non-state actors accused of serious violations of religious liberty. Other EPCs previously designated under the Act include Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Sahel, the Taliban, and the Houthis. If passed, the bill would allow U.S. authorities to impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals linked to the named entities.
This bill was introduced following months of advocacy by American lawmakers and evangelical groups. In September, Republican Senator Ted Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 (S.2747), which seeks to reinstate Nigeria’s CPC status and impose sanctions on culpable government officials. The bill, co-sponsored by five Republican senators, including Ted Budd, cited the “systematic persecution of Christians and other religious minorities” by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province.
Lawmakers alleged that more than 52,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, while over 20,000 churches and Christian institutions have been destroyed or attacked. The proposed law also requires the U.S. State Department to submit annual reports to Congress on Nigeria’s human rights record and recommend visa bans or financial sanctions where violations persist.
Representative Riley Moore, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging “immediate action” to address what he called the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians in Nigeria.” “You have always been a champion for Christians around the world,” Moore said, thanking Trump for his “leadership” and commitment to defend believers “being slaughtered by radical Islamists.”
Key Points of the Proposed Legislation
- The bill targets specific Nigerian groups and individuals involved in alleged religious freedom violations.
- It includes provisions for visa bans and asset freezes on those linked to the named entities.
- The legislation mandates annual reports from the U.S. State Department on Nigeria’s human rights record.
- It aims to hold government officials accountable for the persecution of religious minorities.