US Reps Move to Sanction Terrorist Groups, Officials in Nigeria, Seek Visa Ban

The United States House of Representatives has called for sanctions against individuals and groups accused of violating religious freedom in Nigeria.

The lawmakers also want visa restrictions placed on some Nigerian figures linked to terrorism and religious persecution.

The move came through a resolution introduced in Congress, urging the US Departments of State and Treasury to take action against groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

The measure also seeks to place Fulani-ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on the list of entities of particular concern.

Filed as H. Res. 860 in the 119th Congress, the resolution was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Huizenga.

It also commended former President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom.

The lawmakers accused terrorist organisations of committing widespread atrocities across Nigeria.

“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,” the resolution partly reads.

They also cited reports of kidnappings and killings of religious leaders, including priests, pastors, and imams who advocated for peace and tolerance.

The document mentioned Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who had testified before the US House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this year, and later faced intimidation and threats.

Supporters of the resolution said the redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC would strengthen diplomatic efforts to push for accountability and better 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,” the resolution added.

United States House of Reps also 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.”

The US lawmakers urged their government to link future assistance to Nigeria with concrete improvements in human rights and protection of vulnerable groups.

They also advised that humanitarian aid should be channelled directly to faith-based organisations assisting displaced persons in Nigeria’s middle-belt region.

The resolution has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further legislative action. If approved, it could strengthen Washington’s stance on religious freedom and intensify pressure on Nigerian authorities to curb violence and protect minority groups.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has rejected the designation. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the US assessment was based on “misrepresentation and misinformation.”

According to him, insecurity in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims and is not targeted at any specific religion.

Idris maintained that Nigeria’s security agencies continue to fight terrorism and violent crimes without bias.

“Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian state is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data,” he said.