Five US lawmakers have introduced a bill in the House of Representatives seeking sanctions on Nigerian individuals and groups accused of religious persecution and mass atrocities.
The proposed legislation, titled the ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’, was introduced on Tuesday in the US House of Representatives. If passed, it would compel the Secretary of State to submit a “comprehensive report on US efforts to address the ongoing religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria” and authorize the Departments of State and Treasury to impose sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on those deemed responsible.
The bill specifically lists former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria” as potential targets for sanctions. The legislation was sponsored by Congressmen Chris Smith, Riley Moore (the bill’s author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
In the bill, the sponsors also praised former US President Donald Trump, saying he “acted justly” by redesignating Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations.
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