- The United States lawmakers introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026
- The bill proposes visa bans and asset freezes over alleged religious freedom violations in Nigeria
- Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, and associations such as MACBAN were identified in the bill
The United States has proposed targeted sanctions, including visa restrictions and asset freezes, against individuals and groups allegedly linked to religious freedom violations in Nigeria under the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.
On Tuesday, February 10, the US Congressman Representative, Riley Moore (R-West Virginia), announced via X that he had introduced the bill alongside co-sponsor Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey).
The proposed legislation names former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias and groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) 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.”
The legislation also mandates the US Secretary of State to assess whether certain Fulani militias meet the criteria for designation as foreign terrorist organisations under US law. Additionally, it calls for humanitarian support in Nigeria’s Middle Belt to be channelled 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 strengthens earlier US actions, including Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” and the recently signed US–Nigeria security framework agreement, reinforcing what he described as America’s commitment to defending persecuted Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
Concerns over religious freedom in Nigeria have intensified amid ongoing violence by armed groups operating in the Middle Belt and parts of the North.
In late 2025, US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over what Washington described as severe religious freedom violations, citing allegations of systematic attacks, particularly against Christian communities.
However, the Nigerian government rejected the characterisation, maintaining that the country’s security challenges are complex and not rooted in a religious war.
The security crisis has also prompted deeper US military cooperation. In December 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria in coordination with the Nigerian government, as part of expanded counter-terrorism collaboration and intelligence sharing.
The US has also increased training assistance and military equipment support for Nigerian security forces as part of broader bilateral security efforts.
DHQ confirms deployment of U.S. troops under bilateral agreement
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had clarified that all engagements involving United States troops in Nigeria are being carried out in line with established bilateral agreements and with full respect for the country’s sovereignty.
The clarification followed viral media reports suggesting that U.S. troops were deployed on Nigerian soil to combat terrorism.