A new bill introduced in the United States House of Representatives is seeking action against alleged illegal Chinese mining activities in Nigeria over claims that proceeds are used to fund armed Fulani militias.
The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, was introduced on Tuesday by five Republican lawmakers: Chris Smith, Riley Moore (the bill’s author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
The sponsors allege that some illegal Chinese mining operations in Nigeria engage in the “destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.” The bill urges the US Secretary of State to work with the Nigerian government to counter what it describes as hostile foreign exploitation linked to these operations.
Clauses 10 and 11 propose that the Secretary of State consider providing technical support to Nigeria to reduce and eliminate vi%lence from armed Fulani militias. This would include disarmament initiatives and broader counter-t+rrorism cooperation aimed at removing Foreign T+rrorist Organizations that may thr£aten US interests. It also calls for collaboration with Nigerian authorities to address illegal mining activities and their alleged financial links to militias.
Additionally, the bill recommends that the US Department of State engage international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to support efforts promoting religious freedom and peace in Nigeria. The Secretary of State would also assess whether certain “Fulani-ethnic militias” meet the criteria for designation as Foreign T+rrorist Organizations.
The proposal follows a 2023 report by The Times of London, which alleged that some Chinese nationals involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, particularly in Zamfara and parts of the northwest, were linked to illicit payments benefiting armed groups, potentially enabling insecurity in the region.
