Washington, D.C. / Abuja — November 5, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution Tuesday calling for targeted sanctions against Nigerian groups — including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore — due to alleged involvement in large-scale religious violence in Nigeria. The measure, formally designated H. Res. 860 in the 119th Congress, was submitted by Rep. Christopher Smith, with Rep. Paul Huizenga as co-sponsor.
The resolution states that for over a decade, Islamic terror organisations and militias have carried out mass murder, rape, kidnappings and other atrocities targeting mostly Nigerian Christians and non-Fulani moderate Muslim populations, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. It further asserts that religious leaders who testified before Congress and Nigerian Christian communities faced intimidation, threats and violence from both extremist groups and allegedly complicit entities.
Key provisions of the resolution include:
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A call on the U.S. Departments of State and Treasury to impose sanctions such as visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, including MACBAN and Kautal Hore.
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A push to designate Fulani-ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau States as Entities of Particular Concern under the International Religious Freedom Act.
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A recommendation that U.S. foreign assistance to Nigeria be conditioned on measurable improvements in human-rights outcomes, and that humanitarian aid be directed specifically to faith-based organisations supporting internally displaced persons.
The Nigerian government responded swiftly. In Abuja, a presidential aide, Daniel Bwala, told Russian-state media the narrative behind the resolution is part of a “campaign to depict Nigeria as anti-Christian” and insisted no state policy supports genocide against any religious group. The government reiterated calls for respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and internal processes.
Supporters of the resolution believe the designated groups have operated with near-impunity in zones where farmer-herder violence, religiously-charged attacks and land-use conflicts overlap. They argue that without international accountability mechanisms, the victims will continue to be neglected. Critics, however, warn that the resolution could complicate bilateral security cooperation, including U.S. intelligence and counter-terrorism assistance to Nigeria.
The resolution was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further deliberation. Lawmakers said they will monitor Nigeria’s progress on documenting attacks, prosecuting suspects, protecting religious minorities and ensuring humanitarian aid reaches affected communities.
The unfolding developments mark a significant escalation in how the United States may approach Nigeria’s complex security and religious-freedom landscape, shining a spotlight on non-state actors and possibly altering the terms of international partnership.