The U.S. House of Representatives has moved to escalate pressure on Nigeria by urging the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, over alleged systematic violations of religious freedom in the country.

Filed as H. Res. 860 in the 119th U.S. Congress and introduced by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) with Rep. Paul Huizenga (R-MI) as co-sponsor, the resolution commends President Donald Trump for redesignating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.

What the Resolution Says

H. Res. 860 accuses Nigeria of tolerating “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.” The text states: “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…” It also indicates that the U.S. should:

• Provide immediate humanitarian assistance to faith-based groups in Nigeria.
• Condition U.S. foreign assistance on Nigeria taking effective steps to protect religious minorities.
• Impose targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky framework, including visa bans and asset freezes against MACBAN, Kautal Hore and Fulani-ethnic militias in Benue and Plateau states.