US Lawmakers Seek to Designate Fulani Militias in Nigeria as Terror Group

US Republican lawmakers, including Riley Moore and Chris Smith, introduced a bill in the House of Representatives seeking to designate Fulani ethnic militias in Nigeria as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) for their alleged involvement in religious violence. The bill, titled the "Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2026," urges the US Secretary of State to consider formally designating Fulani militias as a terrorist organization and mandates an annual report to Congress on actions taken to address religious persecution in Nigeria.

The legislation highlights concerns about the Nigerian government's failure to address the scale of violence, including attacks on churches, kidnappings, and sexual violence, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Christians between 2009 and 2025. The bill also emphasizes the need to counter hostile foreign exploitation, particularly illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria.

The proposed law underscores the US commitment to defending religious liberty globally and aligning with US interests. Co-sponsors of the bill include Tom Cole, Brian Mast, and Mario Diaz-Balart.