Five Democratic lawgivers in the United States have contended that Chinese citizens engaged in illegal mining operations in Nigeria are paying terrorists for protection, as part of arguments advanced in a new bill before Congress.
The lawgivers, Riley Moore of West Virginia, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Bill Huizenga of Michigan, Brian Mast of Florida and Mario Diaz- Balart of Florida, made the claims in the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Responsibility Act of 2026.
According to a statement published on Mr Smith’s functionary website, the bill is anticipated to move snappily through the House and gain broad support. Mr Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said the legislation would bear the US Secretary of State to collect and submit to Congress a comprehensive report on US sweats to address religious persecution and violence in Nigeria.
A dupe of the bill seen by journalists states that “ systemic religious persecution, ” including mass killings, hijackings , rape, destruction of townlets and forced relegation, has persisted in Nigeria since 2009. The lawgivers attributed these acts to Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province( ISWAP), Fulani militant groups and other revolutionist organisations, claiming that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025 and that multitudinous churches were attacked or destroyed within the same period.
The acts carried out by these regulars are intended to blackjack, force, and displace mercenary populations, disrupt original governance, and assert control over home, ” the bill countries, adding that similar conduct meet the criteria for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation under US law.
The bill is separate from another proposed legislation patronized by Moore and Smith seeking to designate former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and two Nigerian herdsman groups as terrorists.
In the new bill, the five lawgivers further argued that the US Secretary of State should work with the Nigerian government to fight what they described as “ hostile foreign exploitation ” linked to Chinese illegal mining operations and the alleged practice of paying protection plutocrat to Fulani regulars. The Chinese government and its delegacy in Nigeria have n't responded to the allegations.
former reports have made analogous claims. A study by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos- grounded exploration and strategic intelligence establishment, contended that some Chinese companies bought fortified groups to gain access to mining spots. The findings, participated with a British review, included vids in which militant leaders reportedly boasted that Chinese miners operating in their homes paid “ rent. ”
Independently, an disquisition by WikkiTimes, a Bauchi- grounded publication, reported that Chinese- related miners allegedly engaged with members of a terror body led by Dogo Gide to secure access to mining locales in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. An audio clip cited in the report purportedly captured conversations about accommodations before operations commenced.
The bill comes amid heightened politic pressures between the United States and Nigeria over allegations of religious persecution. Over the once time, some US lawgivers have indicted Nigeria of permitting what they describe as a crusade of Christian genocide, a claim the Nigerian government has constantly denied. Abuja maintains that terrorist violence affects Nigerians of all religious backgrounds
President Donald Trump lately redesignated Nigeria as a “ Country of Particular Concern, ” a move that raised enterprises about possible warrants or other measures. Pressures escalated further following US airstrikes carried out on December 25, 2025, which Trump said targeted Islamic State camps in Nigeria’s North- west. Debris from the strikes was reportedly set up in Sokoto, Kwara and Niger countries, with some spectators questioning whether all dumdums hit their intended targets.
The Nigerian government said it acceded to the airstrikes and described them as part of an ongoing bilateral security cooperation conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Reports have also indicated that the United States has stationed a small platoon of military labor force to Nigeria, with plans to shoot an fresh 200 colors. enterprises have been raised domestically about the presence of foreign colors, but Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has stated that the US labor force will concentrate on training and politic support rather than direct combat operations.
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