The US has proposed targeted measures, including visa bans and asset freezes, against former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and other individuals and groups accused of involvement in religious freedom violations in Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.
According to the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, the United States has suggested targeted sanctions against individuals and groups suspected of violating religious freedom in Nigeria, such as visa bans and asset freezes.
On Tuesday, US Congressman Riley Moore (R-West Virginia) introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey).
The bill particularly mentions Kwankwaso, as well as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias and associations like the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
The bill partly read, “The United States should deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Government of Nigeria, through trusted faith-based and nongovernmental organizations in Nigeria’s middle belt states; the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, on individuals or entities responsible for religious freedom violations, including (A) Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria, (B) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor, (C) Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and (D) Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.”
The legislation requires the US Secretary of State to evaluate whether specific Fulani militias are classified as foreign terrorist organizations under US law, while simultaneously calling for humanitarian relief to be delivered in Nigeria’s Middle Belt by trusted faith-based and non-governmental organizations.
Moore wrote on X, “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.
“Our legislation will build upon the momentum of President Trump designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement.”
According to Moore, the legislation builds on previous US measures, such as Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” and the recent US-Nigeria security framework agreement, reaffirming America’s commitment to protecting persecuted Christians and other vulnerable communities in the country.
Tensions over religious freedom in Nigeria have risen due to ongoing violence by armed groups in the country’s Middle Belt and northern areas.
In late 2025, US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for serious abuses of religious freedom, citing reports of systemic attacks on communities, particularly Christians.
The Nigerian government rejects this characterization, claiming that the security problem is complex rather than a religious conflict.
The security crisis has also prompted direct US military engagement.
In December 2025, the US coordinated with Abuja to conduct airstrikes against militants related to the Islamic State in northwest Nigeria as part of counter-terrorism efforts and intelligence sharing.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Is Anthony Odiong still a priest after life in prison sentence over rape?")