British lawmakers ask UK prime minister to confront Tinubu over killings of Nigerian Christians

Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to confront President Bola Tinubu over the killing of Nigerian Christians during the president’s state visit.

Tinubu is expected to be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

The Nigerian president will attend a state banquet as a guest of honour alongside First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. He will later travel to Downing Street on Thursday for talks with Starmer.

The visit marks the first state visit by a Nigerian sitting president to the United Kingdom in 37 years.

However, members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) have written to Jenny Chapman, development minister.

The lawmakers asked the UK government to pressure Tinubu to strengthen human rights protections in Nigeria.

Nigeria has been described as one of the most dangerous countries for Christians due to attacks by armed groups.

Jim Shannon, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) lawmaker and chairman of the parliamentary group, called on Nigeria to address the attacks.

Nigeria must “take concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted,” Shannon said.

Members of the group said the Nigerian state has not treated the attacks with the required seriousness.

The lawmakers also asked the UK government to provide updates on the case of Leah Sharibu who was among the 110 schoolgirls abducted in 2018.

APPG FoRB said human rights obligations should be central to future diplomatic, security and trade discussions with Nigeria.