The United States House of Representatives has called on 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 (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The demand is contained in a resolution introduced on Tuesday and published on the official US Congress website. The measure follows recent remarks by former President Donald Trump, who redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and hinted at possible military action over alleged killings of Christians.
Filed as House Resolution 860 in the 119th Congress, the motion was sponsored by Representative Christopher Smith, with Representative Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor. The sponsors commended Trump for the CPC designation, alleging that persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria has continued to deteriorate.
The resolution cites reports from the media, non-governmental organisations, and religious leaders alleging widespread attacks on civilians, the destruction of places of worship, and a pattern of impunity. It also references accounts of priests, pastors, and imams being kidnapped or killed, as well as intimidation of clerics who testified before Congress.
The resolution reads in parts, “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 argue that the CPC designation would strengthen US diplomatic leverage to push Nigeria toward greater accountability and protection for vulnerable communities. The measure further recommends linking American foreign assistance to tangible improvements in human rights, prosecution of offenders, and support for displaced persons.
“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,” they said.
“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,” the resolution read.
The proposal has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further deliberation. If adopted, it would affirm congressional support for Trump’s CPC designation and could open the door for additional legislative or executive actions.
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