US lawmakers introduce bill to label “Fulani militias” terrorists, curb Christian persecution in Nigeria

A bill aimed at combating religious persecution in Nigeria and designating those they describe as “Fulani militias” as terrorist organisations has been introduced in the United States Congress.

The Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 was filed by Rep. Riley Moore, representing West Virginia’s 2nd District. The legislation seeks to strengthen U.S. support for persecuted Christians worldwide, with a focus on Nigeria, where hundreds have recently been killed and villages destroyed.

In a post on X, Moore hailed the move, saying, “Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith.

“The U.S. 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.”

The bill, co-sponsored by Republican Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey and Tom Cole of Oklahoma, would require the Secretary of State to provide Congress with annual reports on efforts to address Christian persecution in Nigeria. It also proposes evaluating whether U.S. assistance inadvertently supports such persecution.

The legislation highlights that systemic religious persecution in Nigeria has persisted since at least 2009, including mass killings, kidnappings, rapes, destruction of villages, and forced displacement. Boko Haram, ISWAP, Fulani militant groups, and other extremist organisations are cited as perpetrators. Between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians have been killed, and over 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed since 2009.

According to the bill, Fulani-ethnic militias have carried out repeated acts of violence meeting the legal definition of terrorism under U.S. law. Their attacks – including massacres in Benue and Plateau States, the Christmas Eve killings of 2023 and 2024, and Easter and Holy Week attacks in 2024 and 2025 – have killed more than 9,500 people, mostly Christians, and displaced over 500,000.

“These militias intimidate, coerce, and displace civilians, disrupt local governance, and assert control over territory, actions that meet the criteria for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation,” the bill notes.

The legislation also documents attacks on Nigerian clergy advocating tolerance, noting that more than 250 religious leaders have been killed or attacked over the past decade, including Father Sylvester Okechukwu in 2025.

The bill comes amid reports that the U.S. will deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to assist in counterterrorism operations, further underscoring Washington’s focus on security and religious freedom in the country.