Donald J. Trump’s Threat: Finally U.S. Lawmakers Seek Sanctions On Miyetti Allah, Others
The United States House of Representatives has called on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and groups in Nigeria accused of violating religious freedoms, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The call was contained in a resolution, H. Res. 860, introduced on Tuesday before the House and published on the U.S. Congress website.
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Huizenga, commended U.S. President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).
The lawmakers noted that the situation in Nigeria had “deteriorated significantly,” citing widespread violence, targeted attacks on Christians, and “the failure of government forces to protect vulnerable communities.”
The sponsors alleged a pattern of large-scale attacks and impunity across parts of Nigeria, referencing media reports, non-governmental organisation data, and findings from human rights monitors.
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 measure argued that the CPC redesignation would strengthen diplomatic leverage to press Nigeria for accountability and protection of religious minorities.
“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.
They therefore moved 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.”
They further recommended that US foreign assistance be conditioned on demonstrable steps by Nigeria to prevent persecution, prosecute alleged perpetrators, and care for displaced populations.
“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 resolution also requested that the US justify the purposes and amounts of recent security and development assistance to Nigeria and tie future support to improved human rights outcomes.
The resolution was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.