In addition to the Miyetti Allah groups, the bill in the US Congress also adds “Fulani-Ethnic Militias” operating in Benue and Plateau states to the list of Entities of Particular Concern, EPCs. EPCs are non-state actors accused of committing particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Other previously designated EPCs include Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, ISIS-Sahel, Houthis, and the Taliban.
The legislative move comes alongside remarks from US Senator Ted Cruz, who vowed to hold Nigerian officials accountable over claims of Christian persecution. Senator Cruz had earlier proposed the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025,” which called for targeted sanctions against federal or state officials who “promoted, enacted, or maintained Nigerian blasphemy laws,” including through public advocacy, legislative action, or executive enforcement.
Supporters of the US bills argue that these measures are necessary to address ongoing religious violence in Nigeria, where attacks on churches, Christian communities, and individuals have been reported in several northern and central states.
The proposed sanctions represent a significant escalation in US efforts to address religious freedom violations in Nigeria, potentially affecting not only group leaders but also their international operations and financial networks. Lawmakers behind the legislation say the aim is to hold perpetrators accountable while sending a message about the United States commitment to protecting religious minorities worldwide.
The bill is now under consideration in the US Congress, with its outcome likely to influence diplomatic relations between the United States and Nigeria, particularly regarding security cooperation and human rights issues.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while fielding questions from journalists at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, presided over by President Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, said: “The government of Nigeria is responding to the genuine concerns raised and the politics of it, of course, aside, we genuinely are taking the issues seriously.
“Let me also say that government, even before the events of the last few days, has been extremely committed to ensuring that Nigeria is indeed safe for everyone.
“The government of Nigeria is committed to that, will continue to do that, and wherever there is any violence affecting any citizen in this country, the government of Nigeria has indeed the responsibility to ensure that that is being tackled.”
On whether the position of the United States is affecting the way government is being run, he said: “Let me say that the government of Nigeria is really very stable. The President is calm. Like we have said, he’s calm. The Federal Executive Council members are indeed very calm. That is not to discountenance the issue. We are not saying that.
“Are there issues of security in this country? Yes, there are. Are people being killed in parts of this country? Yes. But is there anything that the government is doing to also checkmate that? Yes, indeed, there are. Is the government also responding to this? Yes, it is.
“But this is being done with the greatest sense of responsibility, while maintaining the balance that we require to face these issues head-on.
“Now, to recap, yes, government is responding to some of these issues in a manner that will also reflect who we are as a country, maintain our respect and dignity as a country, and also welcome the partnership that we so dearly need from everyone, the international community, from within, to tackle this issue. Issues of terrorism, violence from extremists are not something that is just done by one country.”
The Minister said Nigeria has porous borders, and because of that it is cooperating with its regional partners. We also have cooperation with national partners, including the United States and Nigeria will continue to engage now.
“Have we had any discussions with the government of United States? Yes. Channels have been opened. We prefer that this situation be solved diplomatically. We don’t want to escalate it through rhetoric — you have said, we have said, and all that.
“The responsibility that we have as a government is to ensure that, whatever genuine concerns there are, to keep our citizens safe, the Nigerian government will continue to do that.
“But there is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country, also taking into account the concerns both from within and outside this country, of what the situation in this
“But let me say for the umpteenth time: Nigeria is a country that has tolerance for religion. So whatever you practice, whatever is your faith, our Constitution guarantees that you are free to practice that. The Nigerian government will continue to ensure will continue to impress on the security agencies to maintain law and order wherever they are. We’re also going to do more so that whatever concerns there are, the government of Nigeria will take care of those concerns. “
