Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso's endorsement of Sharia law in Kano State may be the reason why a bill before the United States Congress seeks to punish him and others for the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

MyNigeria reported that US lawmaker Rep Riley Moore and others introduced the bill, which will impose sanctions and visa ban on former Kano State Governor, Kwankwaso.

Others to be sanctioned include Fulani ethnic militia, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

Also included for sanctions are organisations and individuals that provide support for Fulani ethnic militia.

The bill urged the United States to deliver humanitarian assistance, co-funded by the Government of Nigeria, through trusted faith-based and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria’s middle belt states.

"The Department of State and the Department of the Treasury should impose targeted sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability10 Act, on individuals or entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations, including— Fulani-ethnic nomad militias in Nigerria; Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State Governor; Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN); and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

"The Secretary of State should determine whether certain Fulani-ethnic militias in Nigeria, qualify as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (823U.S.C. 1189); individuals and networks—domestic or foreign—that provide support to these Fulani-ethnic militias should be investigated and held accountable; the Secretary of State should consider4technical support to the Government of Nigeria to reduce and then eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias, including disarmament programs and comprehensive counter-terrorism cooperation to8rid the region of Foreign Terrorist Organizations that pose a direct threat to the American homeland.

"The Secretary of State should work with the Government of Nigeria to counteract the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations and their destabilizing practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias; the Nigerian Government should thoroughly investigate instances of penalties or imprisonment under blasphemy laws or Sharia law and work to end these practices and repeal such laws; the United States stands in solidarity with Christians and all persecuted religious minorities in Nigeria in their right to practice their faith without fear of violence, persecution, or death, and a future goodwill relationship between the United States and Nigeria hinges upon the Nigerian Government’s..."

MyNigeria has come across an excerpt from a 2000 Guardian UK story that shows that Kwankwaso introduced Sharia law in Kano State.

The story reads, “Nigeria's most populous northern state, Kano, proclaimed the adoption of Islamic sharia law yesterday but delayed its application until the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, beginning in late November.

“Tens of thousands of jubilant Muslims chanted Allahu Akbar (God is greater) as the state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, made the proclamation at a brief ceremony on a prayer ground ringed by paramilitary troops and armoured vehicles.

“The delayed application of the law and a public holiday proclaimed by the state government helped avert feared violence between Muslims and Christians in the state capital, Kano. Non-Muslims, who dominate commercial activity in the state, stayed indoors.

“Mr Kwankwaso said there would be no exemptions from sharia, withdrawing an earlier statement that a predominantly non-Muslim area would be exempted.

“Kano is the second Nigerian state to proclaim sharia, following the northern state of Zamfara. Other northern states seem certain to be encouraged by the peaceful launch in Kano."


ASA