United States lawmakers have formally introduced legislation seeking sweeping sanctions, visa bans, and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and prominent Fulani socio-cultural organizations over allegations of severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457) was tabled before the House of Representatives by Republican Congressmen Riley Moore and Chris Smith, with cosponsorship from House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, and other senior lawmakers .
Named Targets and Proposed Measures
The bill explicitly identifies four entities and individuals for potential sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act :
- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor and NNPP national leader
- Fulani-ethnic nomad militias operating in Nigeria
- Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)
- Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore
If enacted, the legislation would compel the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions—including asset freezes and visa restrictions—on those deemed responsible for what the bill describes as "severe religious freedom violations." Lawmakers also directed the Secretary of State to assess whether Fulani ethnic militias should be formally designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Allegations and Rationale
The bill alleges that systemic religious persecution has persisted in Nigeria since at least 2009, citing mass killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, destruction of villages, and forced displacement perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militant groups. It estimates that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025, with over 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed.
Specific incidents referenced include major massacres in Benue and Plateau states between May 2023 and May 2025, Christmas Eve attacks in 2023 and 2024, and Holy Week violence in 2024 and 2025. The bill claims more than 9,500 people—mostly Christians—were killed and over half a million displaced during this period .
Lawmakers further alleged that Kwankwaso introduced Sharia criminal law during his tenure as Kano governor and that MACBAN and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have failed to condemn or curb attacks attributed to Fulani militias .
Congressional and Administration Context
The legislation builds on President Donald Trump's October 2025 redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC)—a status that permits the US executive branch to deploy diplomatic and economic measures. It also follows a December 2025 US-Nigeria security framework agreement and coordinated American airstrikes against terrorist camps in Sokoto State on Christmas Day .
Congressman Moore, who visited Nigeria in November 2025, stated: "The US is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world. Our legislation will build upon the momentum of President Trump's CPC designation and the recent security agreement" .
Congressman Smith, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, accused the Nigerian government of "blatant denial of religious persecution," asserting that inaction "emboldens radical Islamist thugs to inflict even more misery, suffering, and death" .
Investigations and Reporting Requirements
The bill mandates the Secretary of State to submit an annual report to Congress detailing:
- Nigeria's compliance with the International Religious Freedom Act
- Identification of sanctioned individuals or entities under consideration
- US security assistance assessments to ensure aid does not enable persecution
- Investigations into blasphemy law enforcement and Sharia law applications against non-Muslims and dissenters
- Conditions of internally displaced persons and humanitarian needs
- Recommendations for further executive or congressional action
Reactions and Implications
The proposed legislation has drawn sharp attention in both Washington and Abuja. Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom Sean Nelson praised the "powerhouse team" behind the bill, describing it as a critical accountability measure .
The bill arrives amid reports that the United States plans to deploy approximately 200 troops to support Nigeria's counterterrorism operations, signaling deepening security cooperation even as Washington applies intensified legislative pressure .
The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 now awaits further committee review and debate in Congress.
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