Background on the US Proposal
The United States House of Representatives introduced House Resolution 860 on November 5, 2025, urging the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on entities accused of severe violations of religious freedom in Nigeria. Sponsored by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) and co-sponsored by Representative Paul Huizenga (R-MI), the resolution specifically names:
- Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN): A prominent Fulani socio-cultural group advocating for pastoralists’ rights.
- Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore: A related Fulani organization often linked to advocacy on herder issues.
- Fulani-ethnic militias operating in states like Benue and Plateau, proposed for designation as “Entities of Particular Concern” (EPCs) under the International Religious Freedom Act, alongside groups like Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa.
The sanctions would include visa bans, asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act, and other restrictions on individuals and leaders associated with these groups. The resolution ties these measures to ongoing attacks on Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, attributing them to herder-farmer conflicts involving Fulani militias. It also recommends conditioning US aid (including global health funding) on Nigeria’s efforts to prosecute offenders, support displaced persons, and protect religious minorities. This follows President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations.
The proposal has drawn support from figures like Senator Ted Cruz, who backs related legislation like the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,” targeting blasphemy laws and officials enabling persecution.
Miyetti Allah’s Warning to the US
In response, on November 8, 2025, MACBAN issued a strong rebuke through state leader Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu (also Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission – Relief Funds Trust). Speaking to Daily Post Nigeria in Kano, Adamu described the proposed sanctions as “dangerous” and based on “half-truths or incomplete investigations.” Key points from his statement:
- Unfair Collective Punishment: “It would be unfair to hold an entire organisation responsible for the actions of a few members. If an individual breaks the law, that person should be investigated and punished, not the whole group.”
- Risk of Ethnic Targeting: “If countries like America impose sanctions on groups without concrete evidence, it will make people believe that the Fulani ethnic group is being targeted.”
- Potential for Escalation: Such measures could “increase tensions in areas already struggling with farmer-herder conflicts” and exacerbate insecurity, rather than promote peace.
- Group’s Mission: Adamu emphasized that MACBAN’s role is to “promote peace and modern livestock practices among its members, not to fuel violence.”
This echoes broader defenses from northern Nigerian groups, such as the Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership, whose president, Abdul Danbature, urged the Trump administration to “clarify” the sanctions, arguing that Miyetti Allah includes diverse members like professors, doctors, and governors—not a monolithic “terrorist entity.”
Broader Context and Implications
This development occurs amid heightened US scrutiny of Nigeria’s religious tensions, with Trump previously warning of potential military action if attacks on Christians persist. Critics of the sanctions, including Nigerian civil society voices, argue they risk stigmatizing an entire ethnic group (Fulani pastoralists) and ignoring root causes like climate change-driven resource scarcity and weak governance. Proponents, however, see it as essential accountability to deter “impunity” in religiously motivated violence.
The resolution is not yet law and requires Senate approval and executive action, but it signals a potential strain in US-Nigeria relations. As of November 9, 2025, no X (formerly Twitter) posts directly matching the query were found in recent searches, suggesting the story is still emerging primarily through traditional media. For real-time updates, monitoring outlets like Punch NG or Channels TV is recommended.