The United States House of Representatives has introduced a resolution calling on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and organisations accused of involvement in religious intolerance in Nigeria.
The resolution specifically names the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore among the groups to be considered for sanctions.
According to the document, titled H. Res. 860 and filed before the 119th Congress on Tuesday, the measure was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith with Rep. Paul Huizenga as a co-sponsor. Details of the resolution were obtained from the U.S. Congress website on Thursday by TVC News.
The lawmakers commended former President Donald Trump for his recent declaration on Truth Social, in which he redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) and warned of possible military action should the Nigerian government fail to address what he described as “the killings of Christians.”
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The resolution also alleges worsening persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria, citing reports from media outlets and non-governmental organisations that document attacks on civilians, destruction of places of worship, and other forms of violence.
The sponsors said the proposal seeks to hold perpetrators accountable through financial and travel restrictions while urging the U.S. government to engage Nigerian authorities on protecting religious freedom and human rights.
The resolution reads in parts, “For over a decade, Islamic terror organisations have carried out mass murder, rape, kidnappings, and other atrocities targeting mostly Nigerian Christians and non-Fulani moderate Muslim populations, resulting in mass displacement and destruction of places of worship.
“Prominent Christian and Muslim leaders have been kidnapped or assassinated, including priests, pastors, and imams who advocate for religious tolerance;
“Religious leaders, such as Father Remigius Iyhula and Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who testified on March 12, 2025, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the persecution and targeted killings of Christians in the Diocese of Makurdi, have faced intimidation, threats, and harassment from both extremist groups and government authorities.”
Supporters of the bill argued that the CPC redesignation would strengthen diplomatic leverage to press Nigeria for accountability and protection of religious minorities.
“The designation of Nigeria as a CPC will enhance diplomatic efforts to encourage the Nigerian government to take necessary actions to protect religious minorities and uphold fundamental human rights,” they said.
They therefore moved that “President Donald Trump acted appropriately and decisively to redesignate Nigeria as a CPC and hold the Nigerian government accountable for its complicity in religious persecution by radical Islamists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.”
CNN had reported that United States President Donald Trump, redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” after watching a Fox News segment on the purported targeted killings of Christians in the West African nation.
On Truth Social, he warned: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” attributing the violence to radical Islamists.
