A new US bill seeks to impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and groups accused of religious freedom violations in Nigeria, including former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 was introduced on Tuesday by Rep. Riley Moore (R-West Virginia) and co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey).
The bill calls for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against Kwankwaso, Fulani-ethnic nomad militias, and groups such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. It also directs the US Secretary of State to consider designating certain militias as foreign terrorist organisations.
In addition, the legislation proposes increased humanitarian aid to Nigeria’s Middle Belt through faith-based and non-governmental organisations.
Moore said the bill builds on Nigeria’s re-designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom violations and recent US-Nigeria security cooperation.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims that the country’s security crisis is rooted in religious persecution, describing it instead as a complex security challenge.
