US Lawmakers Move To Designate Fulani Militias As Terror Group

Some Republican lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives have introduced a bill seeking the possible designation of Fulani ethnic militias as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) over alleged religious violence in Nigeria.

The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced by Riley Moore and co-sponsored by Chris Smith, alongside other Republican lawmakers.

The bill urges the US Secretary of State to consider formally designating Fulani militias as a terrorist organisation and mandates annual reports to Congress on steps taken to address alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.

The legislation also calls for a review of US assistance to Nigeria to ensure American support does not inadvertently enable religious persecution or systemic violence.

Riley Moore, republican representative from West Virginia, announced the proposed legislation in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Today, I am proud to introduce the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 with Rep. Chris Smith,” he wrote.

“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.”

Tagged HR 7457, the bill requires the US Secretary of State to submit annual reports to the foreign affairs committees of both the House and Senate detailing actions taken to address what it describes as Christian persecution in Nigeria.

Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, accused the Nigerian government of failing to acknowledge the scale of violence.

“The Nigerian government’s blatant denial of the religious persecution occurring within its borders has only enabled the religious-based violence in the country to fester, with Christian deaths and church attacks reaching unprecedented numbers,” Smith said.

The bill references destruction of churches, kidnappings, sexual violence and village attacks, estimating that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025.

Moore said he recently visited Nigeria as part of an investigation initiated by President Donald Trump.

“As part of the investigation President Trump asked me to lead, I visited Nigeria and witnessed firsthand the horrors our brothers and sisters in Christ face and saw the security challenges Nigeria faces,” Moore said.

He added that the proposed law demonstrates that “the United States stands with our persecuted Christians.”

Other co-sponsors include Tom Cole, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Brian Mast, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Mario Diaz-Balart; and Bill Huizenga.

Cole said defending religious liberty globally aligns with US interests and responsibilities, adding that the legislation would reinforce efforts to ensure that religious persecution “will not be tolerated.”

Beyond security concerns, the bill also calls on the Secretary of State to counter what it described as “hostile foreign exploitation” linked to illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria.

In November 2025, Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), a move that allows the US executive branch to impose diplomatic and economic measures under international religious freedom laws.

The president also authorised coordinated strikes with the Nigerian government against suspected militants on Christmas Day 2025, further deepening security collaboration between both nations.