Kwankwaso
Picnews
The US Congress is considering a bill that could impose visa bans and asset freezes on former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, and other individuals and groups allegedly involved in severe religious freedom violations in Nigeria. The proposed legislation, titled “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,” aims to address the persecution of Christians and other minority groups in Nigeria.
The bill, introduced by US lawmakers Chris Smith, Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga, cites estimates that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025, with over 19,000 churches destroyed. It also references attacks in Yelwata, Christmas Eve massacres, and Holy Week and Easter attacks, which left thousands dead and displaced.
Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah groups have denied any wrongdoing, with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) describing the proposed sanctions as “unfair and politically motivated.” The Kwankwassiya movement expressed shock and is studying the implications.
The US bill requires the Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias qualify as foreign terrorist organizations and mandates annual reports on Nigeria’s compliance with international religious freedom obligations.
The proposed legislation is part of a broader effort to address religious persecution in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in November 2025.
The US lawmakers argue that Nigeria’s government has historically failed to prevent or respond to religiously motivated violence and has tolerated impunity by extremist actors.
If passed, the bill could lead to diplomatic and economic consequences for Nigeria, depending on the findings of the mandated reports.
The Nigerian government has rejected the characterization of the security crisis as a religious war, saying it’s multifaceted.
