A group of United States lawmakers has called for targeted sanctions against Miyetti Allah associations and Fulani militias allegedly linked to religiously motivated killings in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.The resolution, tagged H. Res. 860, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to strengthen Washington’s stance on religious freedom violations and human rights abuses in Nigeria.
The resolution commends the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” and urges the U.S. Department of State to impose visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and entities allegedly complicit in the violence.
Groups mentioned include the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, alongside “Fulani-ethnic militias operating in Benue and Plateau States.”
According to the document, these groups should be listed as “Entities of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing repeated attacks on Christian communities, destruction of places of worship, and mass displacement.
The U.S. lawmakers said the violence in parts of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States represents a growing crisis threatening Nigeria’s stability and diversity.
They noted that the religious dimension of these killings cannot be ignored and called on the Nigerian government to intensify investigations, ensure accountability, and protect vulnerable communities.
