Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the killing of ten people, (2) the injury of others, and (3) the destruction of homes, during an attack by armed assailants on Zikpak, Nigeria, on 24 July; and how (1) UK aid, and (2) diplomatic influence, is being used (a) to protect vulnerable minorities, and (b) to address any escalation in attacks in Nigeria.

The UK Government condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria, including a recently reported attack in Zikpak, Kaduna State on 24 July. There are many underlying causes to intercommunal violence in Nigeria, which include disputes over natural resources and competition over land exacerbated by climate change and population growth. The British High Commissioner and her team are increasing their diplomatic engagement with states affected by intercommunal violence, including Kaduna state. Officials from the British High Commission are engaging with State Governments, faith and community leaders, peacebuilding organisations, the Federal Government and others. The FCO co-hosted a conference at Wilton Park in February on Fostering Social Cohesion in Nigeria, which brought together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the complex causes of intercommunal violence. Discussions helped to form recommendations to tackle intercommunal violence in affected states in Nigeria. The Minister for Africa discussed intercommunal violence with the Nigerian President's Chief of Staff in June.

The UK is also providing technical support to the Nigerian Government for the development of the National Livestock Transformation Plan. The plan aims to promote cattle-rearing in one place, rather than the traditional nomadic practice, to limit competition over land and resources leading to violence.

We will continue to encourage the Government of Nigeria to take urgent action to protect those at risk of intercommunal violence, to bring perpetrators to justice and to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes and meet the needs of all communities.