The United States House of Representatives has called on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and groups in Nigeria, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, over alleged violations of religious freedom.
Details of the resolution, H. Res. 860, were obtained on Wednesday from the official website of the US Congress.
The measure was introduced on Tuesday by Representative Christopher Smith, with Representative Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor.
The move comes days after US President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) in a post on Truth Social, warning that Washington could consider military action if the Nigerian government fails to halt the alleged persecution of Christians.
The bipartisan resolution praises Trump’s action and cites multiple reports by NGOs and media sources alleging persistent attacks on Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria.
“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 Muslims,” the document reads in part.
The lawmakers also referenced testimonies before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this year, including that of Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who reported intimidation and targeted killings of Christians in Benue State.
Supporters of the resolution argued that redesignating Nigeria as a CPC would give the US stronger diplomatic leverage to press for accountability and protection of religious minorities.
“The State Department and Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, under the Global Magnitsky Act and other frameworks,” the resolution proposed.
It specifically mentioned Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and Fulani ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau states among groups to be placed on the Entities of Particular Concern list under the International Religious Freedom Act.
The lawmakers also urged the US government to condition future foreign assistance to Nigeria on clear progress in protecting religious freedoms and prosecuting perpetrators of sectarian violence.
“The State Department should provide humanitarian aid directly to faith-based organisations supporting internally displaced persons in Nigeria’s Middle Belt,” they added.
The resolution further requests an audit of recent US security and development assistance to Nigeria to ensure alignment with human rights goals.
If approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Judiciary Committee, the measure would signal strong congressional backing for Trump’s position and could pave the way for additional legislative or executive actions.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected the US designation, describing it as a misrepresentation of the country’s complex security situation.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that terrorism and violent crimes in Nigeria were not religiously motivated.
“Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have affected both Christians and Muslims alike,” he said.
“Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian government is complicit in religious persecution is based on misinformation or faulty data.”
Idris stressed that the government remains committed to tackling insecurity and protecting all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.
