*MACBAN expresses shock, disbelief
A bill before the United States Congress has proposed several sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, against individuals and groups accused of persecuting Christians in Nigeria.
The proposed law, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday by US Congressman Rep. Riley Moore (Republican, West Virginia). It was co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee.
The bill named former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as organisations to be considered for sanctions.
In a swift reaction, the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), expressed shocked at the proposed bill which seems to sanction the group and possibly designate it as a terrorist organization.
Speaking exclusively to The Authority, MACBAN president, Othman Ngelzarma, said this is the first time in the 42-year history of what he called the “producer association” that any organization or government would be accusing it of associating with terrorism.
According to the MACBAN president, the “peace-loving association which cuts across religious divides,” had been involved in several moves to keep the peace with several groups and persons across Nigeria, stating that MACBAN had worked with several local and international NGOs to promote peaceful coexistence between its members and those of other groups.
He promised that the leadership of MACBAN would meet and formally respond to the proposed bill.
According to the bill, the US Departments of State and Treasury would be directed to impose targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act on individuals or groups deemed responsible for religious freedom violations. Visa restrictions and asset freezes are part of the proposed sanctions.
The proposed law empowers the US Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani militias operating in Nigeria meet the criteria for designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under US law.
In addition to these punitive punitive measures, the bill proposes increased humanitarian assistance to affected communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. It recommends that aid be co-funded by the Nigerian government and delivered through trusted faith-based and non-governmental organisations operating in the region.
Announcing the bill on social media platform X, Moore said: “Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith. The US is a Christian nation. As such, we must stand with persecuted Christians around the world.”
He added that the legislation builds on “the momentum of President Trump designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.”
Moore said the proposed law reinforces America’s commitment to protecting persecuted Christians and other vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
The bill also calls on the secretary of state to counter “the hostile foreign exploitation” of illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria.
The bill has garnered support from some other congressmen as Rep Moore expressed gratitude to them for joining the effort.
The other congressmen are: Rep Tom Cole, Chairman House Appropriation Committee; Rep Brian Mast, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman; Rep Mario Diaz-Balart, chair of National Security and Department of State; and Rep Bill Huizenga, representing Michigan’s 4th congressional district.
Nigeria has faced persistent violence in parts of the Middle Belt and northern regions, where armed groups have been blamed for attacks on farming communities, kidnappings, and communal clashes. Tensions over religious freedom have intensified amid allegations of systematic targeting of Christian communities.
In late 2025, US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for alleged severe violations of religious freedom. The designation allows the US government to take policy actions, including sanctions, against countries accused of tolerating or engaging in such violations.
The Nigerian government has rejected the characterisation of the crisis as a religious war, insisting that the country’s security challenges are complex and driven by multiple factors, including banditry, terrorism and competition over land and resources.
The security situation has also seen increased cooperation between Washington and Abuja. In December 2025, the United States carried out airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria in coordination with Nigerian authorities, as part of broader counterterrorism and intelligence-sharing efforts.
The US has also expanded military training support and supplies to Nigerian security forces in recent months.
The proposed bill will now proceed through the US legislative process, where it will be debated and considered by lawmakers.
The MACBAN leader said his group had also met on several occasions with delegations from the governments of the US and of Nigeria, and that the meetings were tailored towards peace.
He added that, out of concern for the avoidable clashes between herders and crop farmers in some parts of the country, the group campaigned for and secured the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development.
He said, “We have been in existence for over 42 years as a livestock producer association. We are one of the most democratic associations, holding election every four years. We are not an armed group, and have never supported any firm of violence.
“We have never taken responsibility for any crime. Our records are very clear for all to see. Always engaged with government agencies at all levels, and worked with several local and international NGOs.
“We are shocked by the reports to sanction us and the threat to designate us a terrorist group. We deserve government protection. The government knows us, they should be able to make our position clear to the US government.
“We helped to campaign for the creation of the Ministry of Livestock development, to stem the crisis with farmers. We are sure this is a case of mistaken identity.
Apparently, it is the same way that the US government inavertentely dubbed the Nigerian government as persecuting Christians, is the same way they’re treating MACBAN,” he declared.
