Nigeria’s insecurity has been a pressing issue, with various groups and individuals contributing to the country’s instability, including Boko Haram and Fulani militias, perpetuating violence and terror across the country.
The situation remains volatile, with jihadist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS‑West Africa, plus Fulani‑ethnic militias, carrying out attacks, kidnappings and church bombings. Since 2009, estimates put Christian deaths between 50,000 – 125,000, and over 2,000 churches destroyed
The US has been involved in efforts to combat terrorism in Nigeria, with recent deployments of troops to train Nigerian forces and collaborative strikes on terrorist hotspots.
U.S. Reps. Riley Moore (R‑WV) and Chris Smith (R‑NJ) introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 (HR 7457).
The proposed bill aims to address escalating religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria, with the US government seeking to hold accountable those responsible for the violence. The bill also calls for sanctions against individuals and groups, including the Fulani ethnic militias, accused of perpetuating violence against Christians and other groups
The bill Requires the Secretary of State to report on U.S. efforts to address Christian persecution. It also seeks sanctions, asset freezes, visa bans on Sen Rabiu Kwankwaso, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Fulani militias.
Included in the bill are Humanitarian Assistance and aid to affected communities through trusted faith-based and non-governmental organizations
The bill reflects concerns about religious persecution in Nigeria, with lawmakers urging accountability for perpetrators. Nigeria’s government, however, denies allegations of persecution, citing efforts to address security challenges
Sen Rabiu Kwankwanso was former Governor of Kano state, Presidential candidate and currently seeking to be the VP candidate to a leading Presidential candidate Peter Obi. Sen. Kwankwaso was never named in prior UAE terror financing list.
Many critics of current Nigeria government on {X} Twitter, claim that the excuse giving for the inclusion of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso in the bill was farfetched. They claim that Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso was not the first governor to introduce Sharia law to Nigeria. Contrary to claim, it was first implemented in Zamfara state in 2000 by Governor Ahmed Sanni Yerima. There were allegations on (X)Twitter of lobby money influencing Kwankwaso’s inclusion in the bill, however this claim has not been confirmed
Nigeria signed the $9 million lobby agreement on December 17, 2025, with DCI Group, a Washington-based public affairs and lobbying firm. The agreement was executed by:
– Oyetunji Olalekan Teslim, Managing Partner of Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm representing Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
– Justin Peterson, Managing Member of DCI Group.
The contract is for an initial six-month period, ending June 30, 2026, with an automatic renewal clause unless terminated by either party with 60 days’ notice. Nigeria has already paid $4.5 million as an advance retainer, with a total contract value of $9 million
Additionally, a Nigerian billionaire, Matthew Tonlagha, signed a separate $720,000 contract with Valcour Global Public Strategy to strengthen US-Nigeria bilateral relations. The engagement was disclosed in filings submitted to the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) by Valcour, LLC, a Washington-based consulting firm.
This lobby move has sparked controversy, with some US lawmakers criticizing Nigeria for trying to downplay its human rights and religious freedom issues.
A recent investigation has exposed a network of individuals, including Nigerians and foreign nationals, allegedly involved in financing terrorism and supporting extremist operations. Investigations have flagged several high‑profile individuals alleged to funnel money to terrorists.
The following individuals are accused of moving billions of naira through hidden accounts, with some using business fronts and webs of personal and corporate bank accounts to evade detection:
– Abdurrahman Ado Musa
– Salihu Yusuf Adamu
– Bashir Ali Yusuf
– Muhammed Ibrahim Isa
– Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
– Surajo Abubakar Muhammad
– Tukur Mamu
– Yusuf Ghazali
– Muhammad Sani
– Abubakar Muhammad
– Sallamudeen Hassan
– Adamu Ishak
– Hassana-Oyiza Isah
– Abdulkareem Musa
– Umar Abdullahi
– Alhaji Saidu Ahmed – Zaria businessman, ₦4.8 bn inflows linked to convicted terrorists.
– Yusuf Ghazali – Forex trader with 385 bank accounts, identified as a cross‑border terror‑financing facilitator.
– Usaini Adamu, a Kano businessman with 111 bank accounts, recording ₦43 billion in inflows and ₦50 billion in outflows.
– Muhammad Sani Adam, a dealer in forex and precious stones, described as Ahmed’s right-hand man, with 41 accounts moving over ₦54 billion
– Ladan Ibrahim, Chairman of the Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency, accused of diverting public funds to terror financiers
