By Our Correspondent

National News – Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to question Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the killings of Christians in Nigeria during the president’s upcoming state visit to Britain.

The appeal comes ahead of a historic diplomatic engagement expected to strengthen ties between both countries.

President Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, is scheduled to attend a state banquet hosted by the British monarch at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

He will later meet with Prime Minister Starmer at Downing Street on Thursday.

The visit marks the first official Nigerian presidential state visit to the United Kingdom in nearly four decades.

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) have written to the UK’s Development Minister, Baroness Jenny Chapman, urging the government to address concerns over religious violence in Nigeria.

The lawmakers want the issue of Christian persecution and religious freedom to be a key part of diplomatic discussions during Tinubu’s visit.

The group’s chairman, Jim Shannon, stressed that Nigeria must take stronger action to prevent attacks on Christian communities and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

According to him, the Nigerian government should also intensify efforts to protect vulnerable religious groups across the country.

In their letter, which reportedly gathered the support of more than 200 MPs and peers, the parliamentarians expressed concern that attacks on Christians in Nigeria have not always been treated with the seriousness required.

They also called for an update on the case of Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2018 who remains in captivity.

The group further urged the British government to ensure that human rights and religious freedom remain central to future diplomatic, security, and trade relations with Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, is expected to meet with the Nigerian First Lady during her visit to Lambeth Palace.

Mrs Tinubu, who is also a pastor, is scheduled to participate in a prayer service and interact with representatives of the Church of England and Christian charities supporting humanitarian work in Nigeria.