By Our Correspondent
A group of lawmakers in the United Kingdom has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise serious concerns about the killing and persecution of Christians in Nigeria during discussions with the country’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The appeal comes as President Tinubu prepares for an official visit to the UK, where he is expected to hold high-level meetings with British officials.
The lawmakers, many of whom belong to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB), urged the British government to use the opportunity to press Nigeria on the protection of religious minorities. In a formal communication, they emphasized the need for stronger action from Nigerian authorities to prevent attacks, ensure justice for victims, and protect vulnerable communities.
According to the group, persistent violence in parts of Nigeria has led to the deaths and displacement of many Christians.
They expressed concern that these attacks—often carried out by extremist groups and armed militias—continue with limited accountability. The lawmakers argued that addressing the issue should be a key priority in diplomatic discussions between the UK and Nigeria.
The MPs and members of the House of Lords also called for greater international attention to cases such as that of Leah Sharibu, a Nigerian schoolgirl who was abducted by insurgents in 2018 and is believed to remain in captivity after reportedly refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
They urged the British government to seek updates from Nigerian authorities and push for renewed efforts toward her release.
Furthermore, the lawmakers stressed that human rights and religious freedom should play a central role in future relations between the UK and Nigeria.
They recommended that the British government integrate these concerns into bilateral talks on security cooperation, economic partnerships, and diplomatic engagement.
President Tinubu’s visit to the United Kingdom is expected to include meetings with Prime Minister Starmer and other senior officials, as well as ceremonial events hosted by Charles III.
The visit represents an important moment for strengthening ties between the two countries, but British lawmakers say it should also be used to address pressing humanitarian concerns in Nigeria.
They concluded that meaningful dialogue and firm diplomatic engagement could help encourage stronger protections for religious communities and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and security of all its citizens.
