By: Sunday Ameh
The United States House of Representatives has called on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on two major Fulani socio-cultural groups in Nigeria — the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore — over alleged involvement in religiously motivated violence and human rights abuses.
The demand was contained in a resolution introduced before the U.S. House on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, and published on the official website of the U.S. Congress.
Filed as H. Res. 860 in the 119th Congress, the motion was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith, with Rep. Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor. The resolution also commended U.S. President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) — a classification reserved for nations accused of tolerating or engaging in severe violations of religious freedom.
The lawmakers accused violent Fulani militias and Islamist groups of orchestrating a decade-long campaign of terror across Nigeria, resulting in mass killings, kidnappings, and destruction of places of worship, especially targeting Christian communities and moderate Muslims.
The resolution cited multiple reports by human rights organizations, media outlets, and NGOs alleging that thousands of civilians have been killed, entire communities displaced, and religious leaders assassinated. It referenced the testimonies of Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who appeared before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on March 12, 2025, to describe ongoing persecution in Benue State and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“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,” the resolution stated.
The lawmakers urged the State Department and the Treasury Department to impose visa bans, asset freezes, and other punitive measures under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals and entities found complicit in such violations.
The document further recommended that Fulani ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau States be listed under the Entities of Particular Concern category as stipulated by the International Religious Freedom Act.
Supporters of the motion argued that the sanctions would strengthen diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to protect religious minorities and end the culture of impunity surrounding sectarian violence.
“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,” the sponsors said.
The resolution also called for the U.S. government to review all forms of security and development aid provided to Nigeria, ensuring future support is tied to measurable human rights improvements.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has responded sharply to Washington’s position. Presidential aide Daniel Bwala, speaking on Russia National TV on Monday, urged President Trump to “respect Nigeria’s sovereignty,” describing the allegations as part of “a deliberate misinformation campaign.”
Bwala insisted that independent monitors have found no evidence of state-backed religious persecution in Nigeria, saying the Tinubu administration remains committed to protecting citizens of all faiths.
“We welcome global partnerships in fighting insecurity, but Nigeria will not tolerate any violation of its territorial integrity,” Bwala said.
The resolution has now been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
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