UK lawmakers echo US concerns over Nigeria’s religious killings

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Members of the United Kingdom Parliament have voiced serious concern over Nigeria’s escalating religious violence, echoing long-standing warnings from the United States.

US lawmakers, including Riley Moore and Ted Cruz, have repeatedly drawn attention to the systematic persecution of Christians by extremist groups.

In 2025, President Donald Trump criticised Nigeria on his Truth Social platform, redesignating it as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to killings by “radical Islamists” and hinting that the US might suspend aid or take stronger measures.

During a debate in the UK House of Commons on January 13, 2026, the transcript of which was obtained by The PUNCH via the House of Commons website on Tuesday, David Smith led the discussion on government support for freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.

Smith, who also serves as the UK’s special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, described the situation in Nigeria as “persistent and entrenched,” citing widespread killings, kidnappings, and legal suppression affecting multiple religious groups.

This is coming as President Bola Tinubu begins a state visit to the United Kingdom today.

In his debate, Smith highlighted the scale of the crisis, saying that “more Christians are killed each year in Nigeria for being Christians than in all other countries combined.” Punch