Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the killings on 24 April at Saint Ignatius Church, in Mbalom, Nigeria; whom they believe to have been responsible; and what assessment they have made of the response of the Nigerian authorities to attacks on Christian communities.

We condemn the recent attack in Mbalom, Benue state, which included an attack on a church and up to fifty houses. Two priests were among at least 18 people reportedly killed. We are appalled by the tragic loss of life. We urge the Nigerian government to investigate fully all such violent attacks and hold those responsible to account. Such attacks have a devastating impact on lives and communities of all faiths and are a major barrier to Nigeria's economic development.