In a significant move, the United States government is taking direct aim at a powerful Nigerian cattle herders’ group, accusing it of violent attacks on religious communities. A new bill introduced in the US Congress seeks to impose visa bans and freeze the US assets of leaders and members of the Miyetti Allah association.

The proposed law, led by Congressman Christopher Smith, claims the group’s militias are responsible for “severe violations of religious freedom” in central Nigeria. It specifically points to ongoing violence in Benue and Plateau states, areas where Christian farming communities have repeatedly been targeted.

This congressional action is part of a broader American concern. US officials say they see a pattern of systematic persecution against Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria. The bill places the Fulani militias linked to Miyetti Allah on a serious US blacklist, grouping them with notorious terrorist organizations like Boko Haram and ISIS.

The Nigerian government has strongly denied these claims, stating that its constitution protects freedom of worship for all. However, US leaders have dismissed this response, citing continuous reports of deadly attacks. The push for sanctions is gaining momentum, backed by other lawmakers who quote alarming figures of tens of thousands of Christians killed and thousands of churches destroyed since 2009.

If the bill becomes law, it would give the US government a powerful tool. American authorities could then ban named individuals from entering the US and freeze any of their money held in American banks. This adds to growing pressure from Washington, following former President Trump’s recent declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

The stage is now set for a major diplomatic clash. As the US Congress moves to hold specific groups accountable, it challenges Nigeria’s stance on its internal security and religious freedom, signaling a tougher American approach to the ongoing crisis.