The United States Congress has introduced a bill proposing targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, and two prominent Fulani herder associations for alleged involvement in religious freedom violations in Nigeria.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2026, US Congressman Riley Moore (Republican, West Virginia) announced on X the introduction of the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, co-sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith (Republican, New Jersey).
The legislation explicitly names Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and Fulani-ethnic nomad militias as responsible for religious freedom abuses.
A portion of the bill reads: “The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, on individuals or entities responsible for religious freedom violations, including (A) Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria, (B) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor (C) Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and (D) Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.”
The bill directs the US Secretary of State to evaluate whether certain Fulani militias qualify for designation as foreign terrorist organisations under US law. It also calls for humanitarian assistance—co-funded by the Nigerian government—to be delivered through trusted faith-based and non-governmental organisations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt states.
Moore posted on X: “Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith. The US is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world. Our legislation will build upon the momentum of President Trump designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.”
The proposed measures build on prior US actions, including President Donald Trump’s re-designation of Nigeria in late 2025 as a Country of Particular Concern for severe religious freedom violations. The Nigerian government has rejected this label, maintaining that the country’s security issues arise from a mix of criminal, economic, environmental, and resource-based factors rather than systematic religious targeting.
Violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions—often tied to farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, and militant activities—has heightened international concern over religious freedom. The US has intensified military cooperation with Nigeria, including coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria in December 2025, expanded training programmes, and increased military supplies.
For the sanctions to take effect, the bill must pass both chambers of Congress and receive approval from President Trump. If enacted, it would mark a major step in US efforts to hold named individuals and groups accountable for alleged roles in religious violence and human rights violations.
Kwankwaso, who left the Kano governorship in 2019 and ran as a presidential candidate in 2023, has not held significant public office since then. Neither he nor the named associations have issued a public response to the bill as of this report.
