Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps his Department has taken to help tackle anti-Christian violence in Nigeria in the Christmas 2023 period.

Rising insecurity has undermined freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria and affected all faith and non-faith communities, including Christians. It is crucial that the fundamental driving factors are addressed. The British High Commissioner raised the recent attacks in Plateau with the Nigerian National Security Adviser, and the UK works closely with the respective authorities to raise and address these issues through multiple forums. The UK Government's 'Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria' (SPRiNG) programme will help tackle the interlinked root causes of intercommunal conflict, including security, justice, and natural resource management challenges.