🇺🇸 U.S. Republican Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Target Fulani Militias, Address Alleged Religious Violence in Nigeria
Washington, D.C. — February 11, 2026 — A group of Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives has introduced new legislation that could pave the way for designating armed Fulani ethnic militias in Nigeria as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), amid mounting concerns over religiously-framed violence in the West African nation.
The bill, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (H.R. 7457), was formally introduced by Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) and co-sponsored by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ), along with other Republican members.
Under the proposed legislation, the U.S. Secretary of State would be directed to consider whether Fulani militias — often alleged by critics to be responsible for attacks on Christian communities — should be formally designated as a terrorist organization under U.S. law. The bill also calls for annual reports to Congress on efforts to address what its sponsors describe as religious persecution in Nigeria.
The measure would require a comprehensive review of U.S. assistance to Nigeria to ensure that American support is not inadvertently enabling violence against religious minorities. It follows earlier U.S. actions, including the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for alleged systematic violations of religious freedom.
Sponsors frame the issue as part of a broader moral obligation. In public statements, Rep. Moore emphasized the need to “stand with persecuted Christians around the world,” and Rep. Smith argued that Nigeria has not done enough to confront “systemic violence” against religious communities.
Supporters of the bill include key Republican figures on the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations Committees, who say the legislation reinforces U.S. commitments to defending religious liberty and holding accountable those responsible for severe abuses.
However, experts note that the security situation in Nigeria is complex, driven by factors including land disputes, banditry, climate pressures and ethnic tensions — with violence affecting communities of multiple faiths — making any single-label approach controversial among analysts and policymakers. Independent observers caution that framing the crisis primarily as religious persecution — and targeting a specific ethnic group — could have significant diplomatic and security implications.
The bill has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where it will undergo debate and potential amendment before any vote on the House floor. If passed, it would represent a significant escalation in U.S. legislative pressure related to Nigeria’s long-running security crisis.
