The United States House of Representatives has urged the Departments of State and Treasury to introduce targeted sanctions against individuals and organisations accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria, specifically naming the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
This call was detailed in House Resolution 860, introduced on Tuesday and published on the official US Congress website.
The proposal, filed in the 119th Congress, was sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith, with Representative Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor.
The lawmakers’ move follows recent remarks by former President Donald Trump, who once again classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and suggested potential military action in response to alleged persecution and killings of Christians in the country.
According to the sponsors, the situation of religious freedom in Nigeria continues to deteriorate, with widespread reports of violence and impunity.
The resolution draws from evidence presented by media outlets, human rights organisations, and religious figures who have documented attacks on civilians, destruction of worship centres, and abductions of faith leaders.
It read in part, “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.
“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.”
Supporters of the motion argue that reaffirming Nigeria’s CPC status would bolster US diplomatic influence to ensure accountability and better protection for persecuted communities.
They also propose that future US assistance to Nigeria should be tied to visible progress in human rights, prosecution of offenders, and aid for internally displaced persons.
“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 resolution’s sponsors added.
They further recommended that “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 has now been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration. If passed, it would reinforce Congress’s backing of Trump’s CPC redesignation and could pave the way for additional policy or executive measures targeting religious persecution in Nigeria.
