Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to verify reports that the killing of 200 people in Benue was "highly organised", to establish who was responsible, and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Through the Strengthening Peace and Resilience Programme (SPRiNG) programme, the UK continues to support initiatives to enhance the capacity of state institutions and community groups to arrest and prosecute perpetrators. This includes partnering with the Kukah Centre to strengthen the capacity of the Benue Civil Protection Guard. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), we are working with Nigeria's security forces to tackle insecurity and violence against civilian communities, including those of different religious backgrounds and belief systems. At the last UK-Nigeria SDP dialogue in February 2024, the UK welcomed a commitment from Nigeria on timely, effective and human rights compliant investigations of, and prosecutions for, terrorism crimes. Investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the attack in Benue is a matter for the Nigerian authorities.