U.S Calls for Sanctions Against Kwankwaso, Fulani Groups Amid Alleged Religious Freedom Vi%lations

U.S. Republican lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith have introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, seeking to designate Fulani ethnic militias as a Foreign T+rrorist Organisation (FTO) over “religious vi%lence” targeting Christians in Nigeria. 

They also recommended targeted sanctions, asset freezes, and visa bans against former presidential candidate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.

The bill directs the U.S. secretary of state to assess Fulani militias, submit annual reports to Congress on Christian pers+cution, and review U.S. assistance to Nigeria to ensure it does not “inadvertently sponsor religious persecution or systemic violence.”

Moore said: “The U.S. is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world.” Smith added: “The Nigerian government’s blatant denial of the religious persecution…has only enabled the vi%lence, with Christian d+aths and church att@cks reaching unprecedented numbers.”

The legislation cites church destruction, k+dn@ppings, s+xual vi%lence, and village att@cks, estimating 50,000–125,000 Christians k+lled in Nigeria from 2009 to 2025. Moore, who visited Nigeria as part of a Trump-initiated investigation, said: “I witnessed firsthand the h%rrors our brothers and sisters in Christ face.” He added.