MPs Demand Starmer Confront Nigerian President Over Christian Killings During UK State Visit
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer must directly confront Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the systematic killing of Christians in Nigeria during his official state visit to the United Kingdom this week, according to urgent demands from cross-party Members of Parliament. President Tinubu, accompanied by his wife Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle on Wednesday for a formal state banquet as guests of honour.
This marks the first state visit by a Nigerian president in thirty-seven years, with President Tinubu then traveling to Downing Street on Thursday for critical discussions with Prime Minister Starmer. The historic diplomatic engagement comes amid escalating concerns about Nigeria's human rights record, particularly regarding religious persecution.
Parliamentary Pressure Mounts
MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief have written to Development Minister Baroness Jenny Chapman, calling for the British government to apply significant pressure on President Tinubu regarding human rights protections in his country. Nigeria currently ranks among the most dangerous nations globally for Christians, facing prolific coordinated attacks from Islamist terrorist organizations including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.
Earlier this year, armed gangs kidnapped 163 Christian worshippers in Nigeria's northern Kaduna State, adding to a devastating wave of kidnappings specifically targeting Christian communities. This violence occurs within a context where sharia law is officially practised in twelve northern states of Nigeria.
Specific Demands and Cases
DUP MP Jim Shannon, who chairs the parliamentary group, emphasized that Nigeria must "take concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted." The group of 209 MPs and peers expressed profound concern that Nigerian authorities have consistently failed to address these attacks with appropriate seriousness.
Parliamentarians specifically demanded that the British government shed light on the case of Leah Sharibu, one of 110 schoolgirls kidnapped in 2018 who remains imprisoned by militants because she refuses to renounce her Christian faith. The parliamentary group has urgently requested a response from Baroness Chapman before the state visit commences.
Broader Diplomatic Implications
The All-Party Parliamentary Group has further urged Prime Minister Starmer to ensure that human rights obligations become fundamental to all future diplomatic, security and trade discussions between the United Kingdom and Nigeria. This pressure comes as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, may also address human rights concerns when she hosts Nigeria's First Lady at Lambeth Palace on Thursday.
Mrs Tinubu, who serves as a Christian pastor while her husband is Muslim, will attend a prayer service and be invited to preach during her Lambeth Palace visit. She will also join representatives from the Church of England and faith-based charities that provide support in Nigeria, including Christian Aid, at a special reception.
International Context and Statistics
Claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria began circulating internationally last year, followed by United States airstrikes on northern Sokoto state on Christmas Day. Former President Donald Trump warned of additional airstrikes targeting Islamist militants, characterizing the situation as mass killing of Christians in armed conflicts.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, thousands have been killed in just one Nigerian state since the early 2000s. Nigeria's Security Tracker estimates that more than 60,000 people have died nationwide due to communal and insurgent violence since 2011.
Nigerian authorities have rejected accusations of failing to protect Christians, asserting that "Muslim, Christians and those of no faith alike" are being targeted by jihadist groups. Nigeria, a Commonwealth member since 1960, is home to over 220 million people with projections suggesting the population could reach 400 million within decades.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for official comment regarding these pressing human rights concerns ahead of the significant diplomatic engagement.
