Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 3 March 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 2025. It was answered by Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour) on Friday, 14 March 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Nigeria: Religious Freedom

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of escalating violence and targeted attacks by armed groups against Christian and Muslim minorities in Nigeria and what steps they are taking to address the religious persecution of these minorities, particularly in the northern and central regions of Nigeria.

Answer: Ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including violent extremism and intercommunal violence, continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). In the North East, terrorist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa target all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views, including both Christians and Muslims. These incidents are distinct from the ongoing intercommunal violence elsewhere in Nigeria. The UK supports programmes working to address the complex root causes of intercommunal violence in Nigeria through locally led peace-building efforts. This support aims to reduce intercommunal tensions by improving access to security and justice, and natural resource management in specific areas across northern Nigeria. In addition, the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) works with Nigeria's security forces to tackle violence against all civilian communities, including those of different religious backgrounds and belief systems.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL5392
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Oppression Nigeria Muslims Religious freedom Violence Christianity
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk