US Lawmakers Introduce Invoice In search of Terrorist Designation for Fulani Militias [DETAILS]
Some Republican lawmakers in the US Home of Representatives have launched a invoice looking for to designate Fulani ethnic militias as a Overseas Terrorist Group (FTO) over alleged non secular violence in Nigeria.
The proposed laws, titled the Nigeria Spiritual Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was launched by Consultant Riley Moore and co-sponsored by Consultant Chris Smith alongside different Republican legislators. The invoice calls on the U.S. Secretary of State to evaluate whether or not Fulani militias meet the factors for terrorist designation and to offer Congress with annual stories on efforts to handle claims of non secular persecution in Nigeria.
Based on Moore, the measure is meant to strengthen U.S. oversight of Nigeria’s safety state of affairs and be sure that American help doesn’t contribute to what the sponsors describe as systemic non secular violence. The lawmaker introduced the proposal in a put up shared on X, saying the laws builds on earlier U.S. actions that raised issues about non secular freedom in Nigeria.
“Our laws will construct upon the momentum of President Trump designating Nigeria as a Nation of Specific Concern and the current U.S.-Nigeria safety framework Treaty,” Moore stated.
The invoice, listed as HR 7457, directs the State Division to submit yearly updates to the overseas affairs committees of each chambers of Congress detailing steps taken to confront what it describes as persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Chris Smith, who chairs the Home Overseas Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, argued that Washington should improve strain on Nigerian authorities to handle persistent violence. He accused the Nigerian authorities of downplaying non secular dimensions of the disaster, warning that continued inaction might worsen assaults on communities and locations of worship.
If handed, the laws might affect future U.S. safety cooperation and support choices regarding Nigeria. As of the time of submitting this report, Nigerian authorities had not issued an official response to the proposed invoice.