A new bill introduced in the United States Congress could lead to targeted sanctions against prominent Nigerian figures and groups accused of involvement in severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria. The legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was filed on February 10, 2026, by a group of U.S. lawmakers amid growing concern in Washington over reports of religious violence in parts of the West African nation.
The proposed bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a comprehensive report on Nigerian religious persecution and mass atrocities. It would also require them to consider imposing targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act — including visa bans and asset freezes — on individuals and entities found responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
Among those specifically named in the draft legislation are Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Governor of Kano State and national leader of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP); the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore; and groups described in the bill as “Fulani-ethnic nomad militias.”
If enacted, the bill would compel U.S. authorities to impose sanctions or explain to Congress why such measures have not been taken, marking a significant escalation in U.S. legislative scrutiny of Nigeria’s human rights record and religious freedom situation.
Sponsors of the bill argue that the measure is aimed at holding accountable those “responsible for severe religious freedom violations,” particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where attacks on Christian communities and other groups have drawn international attention.
The move follows earlier U.S. decisions, including the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues and heightened calls from some U.S. lawmakers for stronger action to protect persecuted religious minorities.
The Nigerian government and representatives of the groups mentioned have yet to publicly respond to the proposed bill. However, past efforts by U.S. lawmakers to spotlight Nigeria’s security challenges have drawn pushback from Abuja, which maintains that its security forces are working to protect all citizens and that the situation reflects broader complex challenges.
As the bill moves through the U.S. legislative process, its passage and any resulting sanctions could have significant implications for U.S. Nigeria diplomatic relations, Nigeria’s internal security policies, and the broader international discourse on religious freedom and accountability.
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