US lawmakers seek sanctions on Miyetti Allah, Fulani-ethnic militias in Benue and Plateau States

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe 

The United States House of Representatives has urged the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

The call is contained in a resolution introduced on Tuesday and cited on the US Congress website. The measure comes days after former President Donald Trump declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and threatened possible military action over alleged killings of Christians.

Filed as H. Res. 860 in the 119th Congress, the resolution was submitted by Representative Christopher Smith, with Representative Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor. The sponsors commended Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a CPC and alleged that persecution of Christians and other minorities has continued to worsen.

The resolution cites media reports, NGO findings and testimony from religious leaders alleging large-scale attacks on civilians, the destruction of worship centres and what it describes as a pattern of impunity. It references accounts of priests, pastors and imams kidnapped or killed, as well as reports of intimidation of clerics who testified before Congress.

“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,” the document states.

Supporters of the measure argued that the CPC designation would increase diplomatic leverage to push Nigeria toward accountability and stronger protections for vulnerable groups. The resolution also recommends tying US foreign assistance to demonstrable improvements in human-rights safeguards, prosecution of perpetrators, and support for displaced communities.

It further urges the State and Treasury Departments to impose sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act, on individuals and entities deemed responsible for severe violations of religious freedom. It specifically names MACBAN, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and calls for Fulani-ethnic militias in Benue and Plateau States to be added to the Entities of Particular Concern List.

It also asks the State Department to provide direct humanitarian support to faith-based groups assisting internally displaced people in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

The resolution has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration. If advanced out of committee, it would signal congressional backing for Trump’s CPC decision and could pave the way for further legislative or executive actions.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Government has rejected the US designation, saying it is based on a misunderstanding of the country’s security challenges. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said on Wednesday that terrorism and violent crime have affected both Christians and Muslims, rejecting claims of state complicity.