The United States has proposed targeted actions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against individuals and groups accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria, with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso specifically named.
The proposal is contained in the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced on Tuesday by US Congressman Rep. Riley Moore (R-West Virginia) and co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey).
The bill also identifies Fulani nomadic militias and organisations such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
Part of the bill states, “The United States should deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Government of Nigeria, through trusted faith-based and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria’s middle belt states; the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, on individuals or entities responsible for religious freedom violations, including (A) Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria, (B) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor (C) Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and (D) Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.”
ALSO READ
The legislation further directs the US Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani militias qualify as foreign terrorist organisations under US law. It also calls for humanitarian aid delivery in Nigeria’s Middle Belt through trusted faith-based and non-governmental organisations.
Moore wrote on X, “Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith.
“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 designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.”
According to Moore, the bill builds on earlier US actions, including Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” and the recent US–Nigeria security framework agreement, reinforcing America’s stance on protecting persecuted Christians and other vulnerable communities.
Religious freedom tensions in Nigeria have intensified amid persistent violence by armed groups in the Middle Belt and northern regions.
In late 2025, US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for severe violations of religious freedom, citing alleged systematic attacks on communities, particularly Christians.
The Nigerian government has rejected this characterisation, saying the security crisis is complex and not a religious conflict.
The situation has also drawn direct US military involvement. In December 2025, the United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria in coordination with Abuja, as part of broader counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence sharing.
Meanwhile, the US has expanded training support and military assistance for Nigerian forces.
