By Muhammad Mamman
Washington, D.C. — A group of United States lawmakers has introduced controversial legislation that could mark a significant escalation in US scrutiny of security and human rights issues in Nigeria, moving to impose targeted sanctions and consider formal terrorist designations against prominent Nigerian figures and groups. 
On Tuesday, Republican Representatives Riley Moore of West Virginia and Chris Smith of New Jersey unveiled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457) before the US House of Representatives. The bill advocates a series of diplomatic and economic measures, including asset freezes, visa bans and enhanced reporting requirements, aimed at individuals and organisations accused of severe violations of religious freedom and mass violence in Nigeria. 
If passed, the proposed law would require the US Secretary of State to compile an annual, comprehensive report detailing American efforts to address what legislators describe as escalating religious persecution — particularly against Christian communities — in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern states. 
Targets Named in Legislation
Among those listed for potential sanctions are:
• Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso — former governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), a 2023 presidential candidate. 
• Nomadic Fulani-ethnic militias, which lawmakers describe as responsible for deadly raids and attacks. 
• The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, groups linked by sponsors to violence in rural areas. 
Under the bill’s provisions, the State Department would also be tasked with assessing whether certain militia groups meet the criteria for classification as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) under US law — a designation that carries legal and financial consequences and would escalate pressure on Nigeria’s government to act on long-standing security challenges. 
Lawmakers Warn of “Impunity” and Religious Violence
The sponsors argue that the Nigerian government has repeatedly failed to prosecute extremist actors and protect vulnerable communities, creating a climate of impunity that allows violence to escalate. The bill’s text cites documented attacks on civilians, places of worship and moderate religious leaders in parts of central and northern Nigeria. 
Representative Moore, who has been a vocal critic of the pace of action on Nigeria’s security crisis, framed the legislation as a moral imperative. In a post on social media platform X, he described the United States’ role as defending persecuted religious communities worldwide. 
Supporters of the bill, including other Republican cosponsors, have emphasised the importance of aligning diplomatic pressure with broader US commitments to human rights and global religious freedom. 
Potential Diplomatic Ripples
The proposed sanctions and possible terrorist designations carry the potential to strain diplomatic relations between Washington and Abuja, especially as Nigeria grapples with complex domestic security threats including insurgency, banditry and inter-communal violence. Critics of the bill warn that such measures could be perceived as undue interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, while advocates argue they are necessary to hold accountable perpetrators of violence and encourage stronger action by Nigerian authorities. 
The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 now awaits review and debate in committee before potentially advancing to a full House vote.
