ACN unites with other charities in raising alarm over violence in Nigeria

Christian community, Kontagora diocese, Niger state, which has seen rising violence © ACN

Source: ACN

Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN UK) has joined forces with a coalition of leading civil society organisations - including HART, CSW, PSJ UK and Open Doors - in urging the UK Government to use the opportunity of Nigerian President's upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom to raise the plight of Christian communities in Nigeria.

In a joint letter to David Smith MP, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), the organisations warned that Christian communities - particularly in Nigeria's Middle Belt - continue to suffer "disproportionate harm" amid ongoing attacks by armed groups, bandit militias and other non-state actors.

The signatories described a pattern of violence resulting in widespread loss of life, mass displacement, and the destruction of homes and places of worship.

While acknowledging that all faith communities have been affected by insecurity, the coalition stressed that survivors and Church leaders repeatedly report inadequate protection and limited access to justice from Nigeria's federal authorities.

The letter urged the UK Government to use this historic state visit, the first UK state visit since 1989, as an opportunity to press for tangible improvements in security and accountability.

The initiative comes ahead of the visit which begins tomorrow (Wednesday, 18th March) when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will meet King Charles III at Windsor Castle as part of a two-day trip.

ACN has extensive links in Nigeria, working with project partners across a number of dioceses to provide help and support for vulnerable Christian communities affected by the violence.

Dr Caroline Hull, ACN (UK)'s National Director, said: "I was delighted to join with other charities and civil society organisations in raising our voices to support the persecuted Church in Nigeria.

"We are all urging the government to work constructively with the Nigerian government to improve safety and security for all communities in Nigeria, and we continue to pray for those who have lost loved ones because of the appalling violence."

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org