By Kevin Akor
ABUJA, Nigeria (chatnewstv.com) — A group of U.S. Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation seeking sanctions against former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and several Fulani organizations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, over alleged links to terrorism-related violence and violations of religious freedom.
The proposed bill, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Riley Moore and Chris Smith.
The legislation recommends visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and entities accused of “severe violations of religious freedom,” including attacks targeting religious minorities in Nigeria.
Specifically, the bill names Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore; and what it describes as Fulani ethnic militias. The lawmakers allege the groups are linked to insecurity and communal violence in parts of the country.
According to the sponsors, the measure is intended to pressure Nigerian authorities and individuals to take stronger action to curb ongoing violence.
The proposal states that sanctions, if approved, would be imposed under the U.S. Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which authorizes the U.S. government to target foreign individuals accused of serious human rights abuses or corruption.
Nigeria’s security crisis remains multifaceted, involving criminal gangs, armed bandits and extremist groups operating across several regions, complicating efforts to assign responsibility to specific actors.
Attempts to reach members of Kwankwaso’s media team for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The bill has not yet been passed into law and must undergo committee review and secure approval in both chambers of Congress before it can be enacted.
