US Lawmakers Push for Sanctions on Miyetti Allah Over Alleged Religious Freedom Violations

The United States House of Representatives has called for targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, over alleged violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

The move followed the introduction of a resolution—H. Res. 860—on Tuesday, as confirmed on the US Congress website and obtained by Chronicles Reporters on Wednesday.

Lawmakers Cite Rising Attacks, Alleged Persecution

Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith with Rep. Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor, the resolution commended former President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over alleged religious persecution.

The sponsors expressed concern over what they described as the worsening persecution of Christians and other minority faiths, citing findings from media reports and international NGOs alleging:

Widespread attacks on civilians

Destruction of places of worship

Kidnappings and assassinations of religious leaders

Impunity for perpetrators

“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,” part of the resolution read.

It also referenced religious leaders such as Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in March 2025 on alleged targeted killings of Christians in the Diocese of Makurdi, claiming they later faced intimidation from extremists and state actors.

Call for Sanctions, Foreign Aid Conditions

The resolution urged the US State and Treasury Departments to impose visa bans, asset freezes and other punitive measures under the Global Magnitsky Act on individuals and entities “responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.”

It specifically recommended sanctions against MACBAN, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and the placement of Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on the Entities of Particular Concern List.

The lawmakers also proposed:

Conditioning US foreign aid to Nigeria on measurable action to curb persecution

Direct humanitarian relief funding to faith-based groups supporting displaced persons

Stronger diplomatic pressure to hold perpetrators accountable

“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 stated.

The measure was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further legislative scrutiny.

FG Rejects US Position

Reacting to the developments, the Federal Government of Nigeria dismissed Washington’s conclusion as a misreading of the nation’s security situation.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the designation stemmed from “misrepresentation and misinformation.”

He insisted that terrorist attacks in Nigeria do not target any particular faith:

“Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike. Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian state is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data,” Idris said.

If passed, the resolution would represent a significant congressional endorsement of Trump’s CPC decision and could pave the way for further legislative or executive actions on Nigeria’s human rights record.