By Fatima Mukhtar
A new bill introduced in the United States Congress seeks to impose visa restrictions and asset freezes on members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, over alleged involvement in severe violations of religious freedom against Christians in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, calls for targeted sanctions under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). It accuses the two Fulani herders’ associations of being linked to violent attacks on Christian communities, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions.
If passed, the bill would empower the U.S. government to restrict travel for individuals connected to the groups and freeze any assets they may hold under U.S. jurisdiction. It also recommends that so-called Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau states be designated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPC)— a label reserved for groups responsible for “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.”
According to the bill’s sponsor, the move aims to hold accountable those who “commit or tolerate systematic persecution” of Christians and other religious minorities. The lawmaker also praised the U.S. government’s previous decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to ongoing faith-based violence.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian government said it is not “in panic mode” over the proposal but remains open to dialogue with the United States on the issues raised. Officials maintained that most of the killings and clashes in parts of the country are driven by criminality, not religious motives.
Both MACBAN and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have repeatedly denied involvement in any form of religious persecution, insisting that their members are law-abiding citizens who only seek peaceful coexistence and the protection of pastoral rights.
The bill is still at the proposal stage and must pass both chambers of the U.S. Congress before it can take effect. If approved, it would mark one of the most direct international actions targeting specific Nigerian groups over alleged human rights and religious-freedom abuses.
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