Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment she has made of the security situation in Nigeria after reports of the killing of two Catholic priests and 15 parishioners in Benue State; and if he will make a statement.

We condemn the recent attack in Benue State, which included an attack on a church and up to fifty houses. We are deeply saddened by the suffering and loss of life. We are concerned by the substantial increase in serious clashes between farmers and cattle herders in recent months. We urge the Government of Nigeria to hold those responsible to account and to work with the affected populations to develop a sustainable solution to the conflict.