Abdul Danbature, president of the Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership, has responded to the proposed U.S. sanctions targeting Miyeti Allah, including visa bans, asset freezes, and other measures.
In an interview with News Central TV, Danbature defended Miyeti Allah, describing it as a diverse Fulani socio-cultural group that includes professionals, students, and community leaders.
He called on U.S. President Donald Trump to clarify the intent behind congressional proposals that could affect the wider Fulani community.
The response comes in reaction to H. Res. 860, a U.S. House bill introduced on November 4, 2025, by Representative Chris Smith.
The bill praises Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for alleged religious freedom violations and recommends sanctions on Miyeti Allah leaders accused of facilitating attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
Speaking about the group, Abdul Danbature said:
“What is Miyeti Allah? Miyeti Allah is a group of Fulanis. So, in this group of Fulanis, we have professors, we have students, we have husbands, we have herdsmen, we have doctors, we have governors. We also have terrorists inside—or let me say bandits inside among them.”
He further questioned the scope of the proposed sanctions, highlighting potential misunderstandings about the group’s composition. He said that if Trump intended to target sponsors of terrorism or banditry specifically, it would be taken seriously.
However, labeling the entire Miyeti Allah group as a target could unintentionally implicate innocent members. Danbature emphasized the need for precise action and understanding, noting the wide range of individuals within Miyeti Allah and questioning whether the U.S. fully understands the organization.
“If Donald Trump would say he has sanctioned the bandits, we are going to take it seriously. But for him to say he has sanctioned Miyeti Allah, does Donald Trump really know what Miyeti Allah is? I don’t think that he knows what Miyeti Allah is,” he stated. View, More,
Explore More News By Using The Button.