US Congress introduces bill to ban Miyetti Allah, MACBAN with visa, asset sanctions
By Anas Abbas
A bill introduced into the United States Congress proposes visa restrictions and asset freezes on individuals associated with the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The legislation, presented by U.S. Representative Christopher Smith, names the groups among “entities responsible for or complicit in severe violations of religious freedom,” under the framework of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA).
In the bill, the “Fulani-ethnic militias” operating in Nigeria’s Benue and Plateau states are explicitly designated as Entities of Particular Concern (EPCs), a classification previously applied to organisations such as Boko Haram, ISIS‑West Africa, the Taliban and the Houthis.
Under the terms of the bill, if passed, U.S. authorities would be empowered to bar visas and freeze assets of individuals linked to the listed organisations.
The move comes amid mounting concern in Washington over reported attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. Representative Smith applauded the U.S. government’s re-designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom violations.
The Nigerian federal government has rejected these claims, pointing to constitutional guarantees for freedom of worship.
Nevertheless, U.S. officials appear to be advancing this legislative effort following agitation from American lawmakers and evangelical groups.
This development signals an escalation of U.S. pressure on Nigeria over human rights and religious-freedom concerns, raising the stakes for Nigeria’s domestic and international stance on such issues.