A group of British lawmakers has urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to confront Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the killings of Christians during his planned visit to the United Kingdom.
According to the lawmakers, the issue should be discussed when Tinubu meets British leaders during the state visit.
The Nigerian president is expected to attend events hosted by Charles III and later hold talks with Starmer at 10 Downing Street.
Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief wrote to a UK government minister asking that the issue of religious violence in Nigeria be raised directly with Tinubu.
The group’s chairman, Jim Shannon, said Nigeria must “take concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.”
The lawmakers said they were concerned that attacks against Christian communities have not been treated with enough urgency.
They also asked the British government to seek updates on the case of Leah Sharibu, who was among schoolgirls kidnapped by militants and is believed to still be in captivity after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
Violence linked to extremist groups and armed gangs has affected many communities in Nigeria in recent years, including attacks on villages, kidnappings and killings.
Security experts say the crisis is part of broader insecurity involving groups such as Boko Haram and other armed factions.
The British lawmakers also urged the UK government to make human rights a key part of future diplomatic, security and trade talks with Nigeria.
