US Security Narrative Shifts from Terrorism to Mining in Nigeria

West Africa WeeklyFebruary 12, 20261 Mins read17

A new bill introduced in the United States Congress is drawing attention to illegal mining operations in Nigeria, marking a shift in the security narrative around the country’s long-running violence. The proposed legislation, titled the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, calls for closer cooperation between Washington and Abuja to counter what US lawmakers describe as “hostile foreign exploitation” tied to Chinese mining activities.

The bill, sponsored by a group of Republican lawmakers, alleges that some illegal mining operations involving Chinese nationals have been paying protection money to armed groups identified as Fulani militias. According to the sponsors, these arrangements are destabilising local communities and fuelling violence in parts of the country.

Under the proposed legislation, the US secretary of state would be encouraged to work with the Nigerian government to reduce and eliminate violence linked to these groups. The bill also suggests expanded counter-terrorism cooperation, disarmament programmes, and the possibility of designating certain militias as foreign terrorist organisations.

In addition to security measures, the proposal urges the United States to coordinate with international partners such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom to promote religious freedom and stability in Nigeria.

The claims in the bill echo earlier reports that alleged some Chinese nationals involved in mining in northern Nigeria were indirectly funding armed groups through bribes and illegal transactions in order to secure access to mineral resources.

The development comes amid ongoing debate about the real priorities of foreign security engagement in Nigeria. For years, discussions in Washington have centred on terrorism, religious freedom, and the protection of vulnerable communities. The new focus on illegal mining and resource control suggests a broader geopolitical concern, one that ties security threats to competition over strategic minerals and foreign economic influence.

As the bill moves through the US legislative process, it adds another layer to the already complex relationship between Nigeria, the United States, and China, raising questions about whether the fight against violence is being reframed through the lens of resource politics.