A new bill before the United States Congress could see former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and some Fulani groups hit with visa bans and asset freezes over alleged violations of religious freedom. The draft law, titled Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, seeks targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
The bill, sponsored by five US lawmakers including Riley Moore, lists Kwankwaso, Fulani ethnic nomad militias, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore among those that could face punishment. It also urges the US State and Treasury Departments to either impose sanctions or explain to Congress why they have not done so.
Some sections of the proposed legislation direct the US Secretary of State to determine whether certain Fulani militias qualify to be designated as foreign terrorist organisations. If passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump, the measures would trigger visa restrictions and possible asset freezes against the named individuals and entities.
The move follows earlier claims by Congressman Moore that Christians in Nigeria were facing genocide, a charge later echoed by Trump before he threatened to attack Nigeria “guns ablazing” over alleged failures to protect Christians. Moore later visited Abuja, Benue and other areas, meeting National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other officials, and the visit reportedly softened his stance.
Despite that, the bill has now drawn sharp reactions in Nigeria. Kwankwaso’s party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, condemned the proposed sanctions as international hypocrisy and blackmail, insisting the former governor has no links to religious extremism.
NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson said Kwankwaso was being unfairly singled out for actions he knew nothing about. He urged stakeholders to investigate the issues properly, arguing that the ex governor’s record shows commitment to national unity, including his role in tackling Boko Haram in Kano and his cordial relationship with Christian leaders.
The party also questioned why other governors who implemented similar systems have not been named and pointed out that the US maintains close ties with countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which operate Sharia based legal orders. It said Kwankwaso even faced backlash from predominantly Muslim voters for supporting Christian presidential candidate Olusegun Obasanjo in the past.
MACBAN president Baba Othman Ngelzarma also rejected the association’s inclusion in the bill, calling it shocking and mistaken. He described MACBAN as a peaceful, law abiding, 42 year old marketing group set up to protect cattle breeders regardless of religion or ethnicity.
Ngelzarma said the association is not an armed group, has never claimed responsibility for any attack and has never been sanctioned in Nigeria. He noted that MACBAN regularly engages with governments and security agencies and has itself suffered from insecurity, including the killing of two state chairmen by suspected bandits for helping security forces.
He disclosed that MACBAN has sent a detailed report to the US Embassy in Abuja for transmission to Congress, explaining its mandate and stressing that many of its members are victims, not sponsors, of violence. He appealed to the Federal Government to defend the association and its members against what he views as a damaging misrepresentation.
About the author
Niger turns to Nigerian ports amid diplomatic row with Benin Republic
The move comes as Niger and Benin continue efforts to resolve a border dispute that has disrupted cross-border trade and complicated Niger’s use of Benin’s ports.bbc+1 Niger has depended heavily on Benin’s ports, particularly the Sèmè-Kpodji terminal, to move crude oil and other imports and exports. However, relations deteriorated after the July 2023 military coup in Niger, with disputes over border closures, security concerns and the movement of goods deepening tensions between Niamey and Cotonou.wikipedia+3 Benin previously blocked Niger’s oil exports through its territory, insisting that Niger reopen its side of their shared border to goods from Benin. Nigerien authorities maintained that the border restrictions were driven by security concerns, while also accusing Benin of violating trade agreements.bbc+2 Nigeria’s ports offer Niger an alternative route to international markets, particularly for imports and transit cargo. This could support trade flows while […]
Tension in Anambra as suspected cultists kill popular advertiser, one other
The attacks were reported in Awka on Sunday, with residents expressing fear as police and other security agencies moved to investigate the killings. Aiza was widely known in Awka as a mobile advertiser, DJ and media personality. Reports said he was shot by gunmen in an attack believed to be linked to cult-related violence, though police had not publicly established a motive at the time of reporting. A second man was also reportedly killed in a separate shooting incident, heightening anxiety among residents. The Anambra State Police Command has previously urged witnesses to provide useful information confidentially as it investigates violent attacks and works to identify those responsible.premiumtimesng+3 Authorities are expected to provide further details on the identities of the victims, the circumstances of the attacks and any arrests as the investigation progresses.
Iran FM accuses ‘serpent’ Netanyahu of tricking US into war
Araghchi alleged that Netanyahu privately boasted in Hebrew about influencing Washington, while publicly praising US President Donald Trump’s leadership in English.arabnews+1 “In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows that he suckered the US Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” Araghchi said in a post on X. He further alleged that the Israeli leader had spoken about influencing America through “1,000 hours of airtime on US networks.”english.aawsat+1 Araghchi contrasted those alleged remarks with Netanyahu’s public comments in English commending President Trump’s leadership, ending his message with the word, “Serpent.” The accusation comes amid renewed tensions after US forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday.abs-cbn+3 The US said the launchers were being prepared to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway, while Iran later launched missiles and drones toward US […]
US strikes Iran for first time in a month, Tehran retaliates
US Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when American forces struck the launchers on Sunday.globalnation.inquirer+1 The strikes came as hostilities between Washington and Tehran had appeared to be subsiding, nearly six months into the conflict. CENTCOM said it was closely monitoring the area and remained ready to protect the free flow of commercial shipping through the vital waterway.abs-cbn+3 Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently launched a missile-and-drone attack targeting US air bases in Jordan, according to Iranian state media. Jordan said its military intercepted eight missiles after they entered the country’s airspace, with no damage reported. The US action was its first military strike against Iran since late July, after President Donald Trump shifted towards an economic-pressure campaign aimed at securing concessions from Tehran. The Strait […]
Nepal begins burials as flood death toll rises to 752
Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai said decomposing bodies were being temporarily buried to protect public health, with DNA samples taken so families can later retrieve remains for traditional funeral rites.economictimes In Hindu-majority Nepal, the dead are normally cremated, but authorities said they lacked sufficient freezer capacity and appealed for international support, estimating a need for more than 1,000 additional units. Rai told reporters that all buried victims were carefully recorded and marked, following Red Cross protocols, and that families would be allowed to exhume the bodies for necessary rituals once identified.economictimes The updated toll from Nepal’s disaster ministry on Sunday stood at 752 bodies recovered and 2,502 people missing, including 589 foreign nationals. Chinese state media reported 16 dead and 546 missing in Tibet, bringing the combined death toll to 768 and the total number unaccounted for to more than […]
2027: Don’t set Nigeria on fire, NILDS boss warns political actors
Speaking on the Newsmen Personality Interview Series in Abuja, Sulaiman urged politicians to embrace issue-based campaigns and inclusive politics to protect the country’s democracy.vanguardngr+1 Sulaiman cautioned against vulgar statements, hate speech and actions capable of threatening national unity or heightening tensions unnecessarily as electioneering activities gather momentum. He said NILDS is finalising plans to convene a political communication summit to address the quality of campaign messaging and public discourse.vanguardngr+1 “Our appeal is that our campaign utterances should be issue-based. We should avoid vulgar statements. We should avoid statements that could set the country on fire,” he said. He also appealed to political parties and politicians not to take Nigerians for granted, but to promote inclusive politics for marginalised groups, especially women and youth
Related
Tension in Anambra as suspected cultists kill popular advertiser, one other
The attacks were reported in Awka on Sunday, with residents expressing fear as police and other security agencies moved to investigate the killings. Aiza was widely known in Awka as a mobile advertiser, DJ and media personality. Reports said he was shot by gunmen in an attack believed to be linked to cult-related violence, though police had not publicly established a motive at the time of reporting. A second man was also reportedly killed in a separate shooting incident, heightening anxiety among residents. The Anambra State Police Command has previously urged witnesses to provide useful information confidentially as it investigates violent attacks and works to identify those responsible.premiumtimesng+3 Authorities are expected to provide further details on the identities of the victims, the circumstances of the attacks and any arrests as the investigation progresses.
2027: Don’t set Nigeria on fire, NILDS boss warns political actors
Speaking on the Newsmen Personality Interview Series in Abuja, Sulaiman urged politicians to embrace issue-based campaigns and inclusive politics to protect the country’s democracy.vanguardngr+1 Sulaiman cautioned against vulgar statements, hate speech and actions capable of threatening national unity or heightening tensions unnecessarily as electioneering activities gather momentum. He said NILDS is finalising plans to convene a political communication summit to address the quality of campaign messaging and public discourse.vanguardngr+1 “Our appeal is that our campaign utterances should be issue-based. We should avoid vulgar statements. We should avoid statements that could set the country on fire,” he said. He also appealed to political parties and politicians not to take Nigerians for granted, but to promote inclusive politics for marginalised groups, especially women and youth
Nigerian man sentenced to 8 years in US prison for $7.5m charity scam
Adejorin was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after completing his 96-month prison term, following his conviction on wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and unauthorised computer-access charges.dailyvoice+2 US District Judge Theodore Chuang sentenced Adejorin on Friday after a federal jury found him guilty in December 2025 following a six-day trial in Maryland. The 32-year-old was extradited from Ghana to the United States in August 2024 to face the charges.patch+2 Prosecutors said the fraud took place between June and August 2020 and targeted a Maryland-based charitable organisation that provided investment services for another charity in New York. Adejorin allegedly accessed employee email accounts, registered fraudulent lookalike web domains and impersonated staff of the New York charity.dailyvoice+3 Using the compromised accounts and fake identities, he sent instructions requesting withdrawals and transfers from the Maryland organisation. The scheme caused more […]
Cholera: NCDC warns of fresh surge as 65,000 cases hit 35 states
The warning comes as Nigeria’s rainy season heightens the risk of outbreaks, especially in communities affected by flooding, poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water.ncdc+1 Cholera is a bacterial disease spread mainly through contaminated food and water, and it can cause severe watery diarrhoea and dehydration if treatment is delayed. The NCDC has urged Nigerians to promptly visit a health facility if they or someone around them develops sudden watery diarrhoea, rather than relying on self-medication.ncdc The agency advised people to drink safe water, boil and store water in clean covered containers, wash hands frequently with soap and running water, and ensure food is thoroughly cooked. It also warned against open defecation, indiscriminate waste disposal and unsafe handling of food, all of which can fuel transmission.ncdc Health authorities are strengthening surveillance and response capacity nationwide, including through rapid-response […]
Police challenge VDM to provide evidence of officers aiding kidnappers
The police said the allegation is serious and will be thoroughly investigated if VDM submits credible evidence to support it. VDM made the allegation at the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, claiming that some officers at checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and share details of their movements with criminal groups to facilitate kidnappings for ransom. Reacting in a statement, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu invited VDM to produce the evidence behind the claims without delay. The police specifically requested information indicating that officers identify affluent travellers at checkpoints and relay their identities or travel details to kidnappers. The Force said it treats complaints of misconduct by personnel seriously but cautioned against broad accusations that are not backed by evidence. It maintained that officers deployed at checkpoints are assigned to prevent crime, detect criminal activities and […]
Motorists lament obstruction, accident trap on Enugu–Onitsha Expressway
The truck reportedly broke down about five days ago near the site of the international motor parts market being constructed by the Enugu State Government. Motorists say the obstruction has become a serious danger to travelers. A motorist, Uchenna Eze, said the abandoned truck had contributed to several accidents, leaving multiple people injured and taken to hospital for treatment. He added that the obstruction had also created serious gridlock along the busy expressway. Eze appealed to the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Enugu State Government to remove the truck immediately and restore the free flow of traffic. He questioned why the obstruction had remained despite an FRSC checkpoint located close to the affected area. “This is a very bad situation. The place where the truck broke down is very dangerous and it has been causing accidents,” he said, urging […]