Nigerian Christians Rejoice as U.S. Congress Targets Fulani Militias With Sanctions and Cattle Export Ban

U.S. Congress Declares Nigeria the Deadliest Country for Christians and Demands Fulani Disarmament

A joint report from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee has declared Nigeria "the most dangerous place in the world to practice the Christian faith," sparking celebration among persecuted Nigerian believers and outrage from Fulani Muslim leaders.

The report, delivered to the White House on February 23, 2026, was requested by President Donald Trump following Nigeria's redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under U.S. religious freedom law. It outlined seven sweeping recommendations targeting the Nigerian government and Fulani militias.

Among the most significant measures: the U.S. Congress recommended blocking Nigerian beef and cattle product exports to compel Fulani herdsmen to disarm. The report also called for sanctions against groups and individuals enabling violence against Christians, visa restrictions for perpetrators, and the repeal of sharia codes and blasphemy laws in Nigeria.

Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole stated:

Liberty continues when strength stands guard. The freedom to worship is not a fleeting ideal.

Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast declared: "The U.S. will not turn a blind eye to Christian persecution." Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith accused the Nigerian government of being "complicit in and complacent about the violent religious persecution."

The separate Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Chris Smith and Rep. Riley Moore, specifically names the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore as entities to be considered for terrorist designation and sanctions.

Fulani Leaders Reject U.S. Accusations as Nigerian Christians Celebrate Congressional Action

MACBAN National President Baba Othman Ngenzarma responded with shock, telling Punch Newspaper that his organization "is not a terrorist organization" and that no court has ever convicted or indicted the association for criminal activity. He insisted that conflicts are driven by land disputes, not religion.

Disputes arise over land use, not faith or tribe.

Nigeria's Minister of Information Mohammed Idris claimed there is no religious persecution in Nigeria. Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar rejected the U.S. accusations, arguing that community tensions have been "distorted to suit narratives of religious persecution."

Meanwhile, Nigerian Christians have celebrated the Congressional intervention. The report comes after a devastating period: Open Doors ranks Nigeria as the deadliest country for Christians worldwide, with 3,490 believers killed for their faith in the latest reporting year. In January 2026 alone, over 160 worshippers were abducted during Sunday services in Kaduna State.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let us be clear about what is happening. Nigeria's government says there is "no religious persecution." Tell that to the 3,490 Christians murdered last year. Tell that to the 160 worshippers dragged from their churches in Kaduna. The Fulani cattle barons say it is about "land disputes." It is always about "land disputes" when Christians are the ones being slaughtered. Thank God for lawmakers who finally have the courage to call this what it is: genocide. And if MACBAN truly has nothing to hide, let them welcome the investigation instead of hiding behind denials. Every nation that stays silent while Nigerian Christians are butchered will answer for it, in this life or the next.

Take Action

• Donate: Support persecuted Nigerian Christians through The Shepherd's Shield (www.TheShepherdsShield.org), which provides direct aid to displaced believers in Nigeria's Middle Belt.
• Donate: Give to Open Doors USA, which ranks Nigeria as the deadliest country for Christians and provides emergency relief.
• Donate: Support International Christian Concern, actively reporting and providing assistance to Nigerian persecution victims.
• Contact Congress: Call your U.S. Representative at (202) 224 3121 and urge them to co sponsor the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.
• Share: Post this article on social media and ask why mainstream media ignores the systematic killing of Nigerian Christians while covering every other humanitarian crisis on earth.
• Pray: Join Voice of the Martyrs in daily prayer for the persecuted Church in Nigeria, especially the communities in Kaduna, Plateau, and Benue states.