U.S. Threatens Sanctions on Northern Nigerian Officials Over Blasphemy Laws, Religious Violence

The United States government has warned of possible sanctions against several northern Nigerian governors, judges, traditional rulers, and Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi over alleged promotion of blasphemy laws and tolerance of religious violence.

A proposed bill before the U.S. Congress seeks to penalize Nigerian officials accused of “promoting, enacting, or maintaining blasphemy laws,” or “tolerating violence by non-state actors invoking religious justification.”

Under the legislation, the U.S. Secretary of State would be required to submit a report within 90 days of the bill’s passage, identifying individuals who could face visa restrictions, asset freezes, and other penalties under Executive Order 13818 — the framework governing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

The bill also targets judges, magistrates, prison officials, and law enforcement authorities who have enforced blasphemy laws through prosecutions, convictions, or imprisonment. The reporting period covers the past 10 years and would continue annually, allowing scrutiny of both historical and ongoing violations.

Focus on 12 Northern States

Twelve northern states — Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe — are named in the bill. These states adopted expanded forms of Sharia law between 1999 and 2000, incorporating criminal and public morality provisions.

The legislation describes the implementation of Sharia-based blasphemy laws as discriminatory, particularly against Christians and minority groups, and accuses some northern leaders of fostering “a culture of impunity” that encourages mob justice and religious intolerance.

Background: Rise of Blasphemy Cases

U.S. concerns stem from several high-profile blasphemy cases and mob killings across northern Nigeria. Victims include Mubarak Bala, Yahaya Sharif, Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, Deborah Samuel, Usman Buda, Roda Jatau, Yunusa the water seller, Christina Oluwatoyin, Sadik Mani, and Amaye the food vendor.

Some of these individuals remain imprisoned, while others were killed by mobs following blasphemy accusations. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Humanists International have repeatedly urged Nigeria to abolish the death penalty for blasphemy and uphold freedom of belief and expression.

Sheikh Gumi Responds from Turkey

Reacting to reports that he might be listed for sanctions, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, speaking from Turkey in a telephone interview with DAILY POST, said he had not received any official communication.

“Well, I didn’t even know they mentioned my name. I haven’t seen it in the papers, and no one communicated it to me. But it’s not surprising — anyone who speaks against cutting ties with America, of course, they wouldn’t like him. May God protect us,” he said.

In a separate Facebook livestream on Sunday, Gumi dismissed the sanctions threat as “a distraction,” urging Muslims and Christians in Nigeria to live peacefully.

“Let us live in peace. If we live peacefully, the evil plans of the West will not succeed against us,” he said. “It is not by killing Christians or insulting them — they are our partners in nation building.”

Broadcasting from the historic Haifa Mosque in Sofia, Turkey, Gumi used the site’s history as a symbol of harmony: “This mosque used to be a church, but today it stands as a symbol of peace and coexistence, not war.”

What Happens Next

There has been no official response from the 12 northern states named in the bill. Attempts by DAILY POST to contact spokespeople for the governors were unsuccessful.

The proposed legislation still awaits approval from both chambers of Congress and the U.S. President’s assent. If enacted, it would mark the first time Washington formally sanctions Nigerian officials over issues related to religious freedom.