Nigeria reacts calmly as US congress moves to sanction Miyetti Allah, citing religious freedom violations
Story by Okafor Vivian
The United States Congress has introduced a new bill seeking to impose visa bans and asset freezes on leaders and members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, accusing the groups of involvement in severe violations of religious freedom against Christians.
The bill, sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith, also designates the two Miyetti Allah associations and other Fulani-ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau states as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs) under the International Religious Freedom Act. This classification places them alongside extremist organizations such as Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Sahel, Houthis, and the Taliban.
Representative Smith commended former US President Donald Trump for re-designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) a status reserved for nations accused of tolerating or engaging in grave violations of religious freedom. The new legislation aims to deepen US scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of sectarian violence, with provisions targeting both non-state actors and government officials allegedly complicit in such violations.
READ ALSO: Nigeria engages U.S. diplomatically over religious freedom designation — FG
US Senator Ted Cruz has also renewed calls for accountability through his proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, which would sanction any Nigerian official found to have supported or enforced blasphemy laws or policies undermining religious liberty. Supporters of these measures argue that they are necessary to protect persecuted Christians and curb ongoing violence in northern and central Nigeria.
However, critics and Nigerian authorities have rejected the notion that the country’s insecurity is driven by religion, instead attributing it to broader socio-political and economic challenges.
Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said it is not in panic mode over the US position and has opened diplomatic channels to engage Washington. Officials reiterated that Nigeria remains committed to ensuring the safety of all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.
READ ALSO: Group launches National Integration Project to tackle tribal, religious divisions in Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu, responding to rising international pressure and reports of potential US military intervention, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism through global cooperation and sustained reforms.
“The most important thing is that despite political headwinds and the fears of our people, we will continue to engage with our partners,” Tinubu said after a briefing from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. “The task ahead is immense, but we are resolved to move forward with unity and purpose, guided by our Renewed Hope Agenda to build a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the US military is preparing contingency plans for possible airstrikes in Nigeria, following directives from President Trump to “prepare to intervene” to protect Christian communities from terrorist attacks. Senior Pentagon officials, however, have reportedly cautioned that limited airstrikes would not resolve Nigeria’s deep-rooted insurgency without broader engagement.
READ ALSO: National Security: Nigeria’s Senate moves to establish Religious Harmony Commission
If passed, the US Congress bill would mark a significant escalation in Washington’s approach to Nigeria’s religious and security crises potentially straining bilateral relations and reshaping future cooperation on counterterrorism and human rights.
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