The United States House of Representatives has urged the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on groups including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Fulani militias, among others over alleged violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
The demand which was contained in a resolution filed as H. Res. 860 in the 119th Congress and submitted by Rep. Christopher Smith with Rep. Paul Huizenga as a co-sponsor and published on the website of the US Congress on Wednesday, decried the alleged worsening persecution of Christians and other religious minorities.
The resolution cited a catalogue of findings and reports that informed the measure, including media accounts and NGO data alleging large-scale attacks on civilians, destruction of places of worship, and a pattern of impunity.
According to the resolution, “for over a decade, Islamic terror organisations have carried out mass murder, rape, kidnappings, and other atrocities targeting mostly Nigerian Christians and non-Fulani moderate Muslim populations, resulting in mass displacement and destruction of places of worship.”
It added that “prominent Christian and Muslim leaders have been kidnapped or assassinated, including priests, pastors, and imams who advocate for religious tolerance;
“Religious leaders, such as Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who testified on March 12, 2025, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the persecution and targeted killings of Christians in the Diocese of Makurdi, have faced intimidation, threats, and harassment from both extremist groups and government authorities.”
The sponsors of the resolution argued that the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), would strengthen diplomatic leverage to press Nigeria for accountability and protection of religious minorities.
“The designation of Nigeria as a CPC will enhance diplomatic efforts to encourage the Nigerian government to take necessary actions to protect religious minorities and uphold fundamental human rights,” they said.
“President Donald 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.
“The State Department should provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based groups to support internally displaced people in Nigeria’s middle belt states.
“The United States, through the Department of State and Department of Treasury, should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky framework and other restrictive measures, on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, including sanctions against Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and should place Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on the Entities of Particular Concern List under the International Religious Freedom Act,” the resolution read.
