Five United States lawmakers have introduced a bill at the House of Representatives seeking sanctions against former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other entities over alleged religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, titled ‘Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026’, was introduced on Tuesday.
If passed into law, the bill would compel the US Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report on efforts by the United States to address what the sponsors described as ongoing religious persecution in Nigeria.
It also directs the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on individuals or entities found responsible for severe violations of religious freedom.
Those listed in the bill for possible sanctions include Kwankwaso, who is the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and groups described as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.”
The lawmakers behind the bill are Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart and Bill Huizenga. Moore is the lead sponsor.
According to a copy of the bill cited in reports, the sponsors commended US President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom issues.
The bill urged the US government to deploy “all available diplomatic, humanitarian, economic, and security tools” to pressure the Nigerian government to end impunity for perpetrators of mass atrocities and protect Christian communities and other religious minorities.
Part of the proposed legislation also requires the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria qualify as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
It further stated that the Departments of State and Treasury should impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on listed individuals or provide Congress with reasons for failing to do so.
“The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes… on individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations,” the bill read in part, listing Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, MACBAN, and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
Moore has repeatedly alleged systemic persecution of Christians in Nigeria and visited the country in November 2025 over the claims.
In November 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a classification that allows the US executive branch to apply diplomatic and economic measures.
The US President also authorised coordinated strikes with the Nigerian government against suspected militants on Christmas Day 2025.
