The United States House of Representatives has urged the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations in Nigeria, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, over alleged violations of religious freedom.
The call, according to agency reports, formed part of a resolution introduced before the House on Tuesday and cited on the US Congress website yesterday. The measure, tagged H. Res. 860 in the 119th Congress was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith with Rep. Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor.
The resolution commends former President Donald Trump for his decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), while condemning what it described as the worsening persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in the country.
Trump had, over the weekend, restated his concerns on his social media platform, Truth, describing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and warning of possible US military intervention should the Nigerian government fail to halt alleged attacks on Christians.
According to the sponsors, the CPC redesignation would enhance US diplomatic leverage in pressing Nigeria to ensure accountability and safeguard minority religious groups.
They cited a series of reports and findings, including data from non-governmental organisations and media accounts, alleging widespread attacks on civilians, destruction of places of worship, and a recurring pattern of impunity.
Quoting the resolution, it noted: “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 resolution stressed that the CPC designation would help “enhance diplomatic efforts to encourage the Nigerian government to take necessary actions to protect religious minorities and uphold fundamental human rights.”
They maintained that, “President Donald Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.”
The resolution also urged that future US foreign assistance to Nigeria be conditioned on concrete steps to prevent persecution, prosecute perpetrators, and provide for displaced persons.
It further proposed 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.”
If adopted, the resolution would reinforce Trump’s stance and potentially pave the way for further legislative or executive measures. It has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
