A bill recently introduced in the United States Congress seeks to impose visa bans and asset freezes on members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore faction, alleging these organisations have committed “particularly severe violations of religious freedom” in Nigeria.
Sponsored by U.S. Representative Christopher Smith, the legislation points to reports of mass killings, destruction of places of worship and widespread displacement of Christian and non-Fulani Muslim communities in parts of northern Nigeria. It urges U.S. authorities to designate the groups as “Entities of Particular Concern” (EPCs) under the International Religious Freedom Act and apply measures under the Global Magnitsky framework.
In addition to the targeted herder organisations, the bill also proposes to add “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in states such as Benue State and Plateau State to the EPC list.
The Nigerian government has reacted calmly, stating that it remains engaged in diplomatic channels and is committed to ensuring safety for all citizens regardless of religion. Officials emphasise that Nigeria’s constitution protects worship and that the security challenges are driven by criminality, herder-farmer conflicts and terrorism—not state-sponsored religious persecution.
Should the bill pass both houses of Congress and receive presidential assent, individuals linked to these groups could be barred from U.S. entry and face frozen U.S. assets. The move signals a deepening U.S. focus on religious freedom and human-rights concerns in Nigeria, with potential consequences for bilateral relations and security cooperation going forward.
