United States lawmakers have called for the imposition of powerful sanctions on Miyetti Allah over alleged religious violations in Nigeria.
This was contained in a resolution (H. Res. 860) introduced on the floor of the U.S House of Representatives, which urges the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury.
In the resolution, the lawmakers called for targeted sanctions on individuals and organizations, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The move follows the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by President Donald Trump over alleged religious violations in Nigeria.
The resolution, which was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith and co-sponsored by Rep. Paul Huizenga, also commended Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a CPC.
The lawmakers in the resolution stated that the designation of Nigeria was necessary over the alleged worsening persecution of Christians and other religious minorities.
They cited reports that they claim are evidence of large-scale attacks on civilians, destruction of places of worship, and a pattern of impunity.
The lawmakers also recommended U.S assistance to prevent religious violations in Nigeria, prosecute alleged perpetrators, and care for displaced populations.
The resolution reads in part: “For 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, resulting in mass displacement and destruction of places of worship
“Prominent Christian and Muslim leaders have been kidnapped or assassinated, including priests, pastors, and imams who advocate for religious tolerance;
“Religious leaders, such as Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who testified on March 12, 2025, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the persecution and targeted killings of Christians in the Diocese of Makurdi, have faced intimidation, threats, and harassment from both extremist groups and government authorities.
“The designation of Nigeria as a CPC will enhance diplomatic efforts to encourage the Nigerian government to take necessary actions to protect religious minorities and uphold fundamental human rights.
“President Donald Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.
“The State Department should provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly to faith-based groups to support internally displaced people in Nigeria’s middle belt states.
“The United States, through the Department of State and Department of Treasury, should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky framework and other restrictive measures, on individuals and entities responsible for severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria, including sanctions against Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, and should place Fulani-Ethnic Militias operating in Benue and Plateau States on the Entities of Particular Concern List under the International Religious Freedom Act,” the resolution read.
The resolution also asked the U.S to justify the purposes and amounts of recent security and development assistance to Nigeria and to tie future support to improved human-rights outcomes.
The resolution was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further consideration.
If it advances out of committee, the resolution would mark a clear congressional signal backing Trump’s CPC decision and could open the door to further legislative or executive actions.
This is another dimension after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious violations.
The U.S President also called on the Nigerian government to immediately tackle the alleged Christian genocide issue.
However, the Federal Government insisted that the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom is based on a wrong perception of the country’s security challenges.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing journalists.
Idris said the US position stemmed from “misrepresentation and misinformation” about Nigeria’s internal security situation.
According to him, terrorism and violent crimes in Nigeria do not target any particular religious group.
“Nigeria faces long-standing security challenges that have impacted Christians and Muslims alike.
“Any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian state is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data,” Idris said.
