Violent clashes between Muslim Fulani ethnic militants and Christian farmers has led to hundreds of deaths. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, the Fulani militia (also known as Fulani herders) are the fourth deadliest terror group in the world.
Islamic extremists Boko Haram has continued to hold Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu captive because she refused to renounced her faith.
The group has also claimed responsibility for kidnapping hundreds of other school girls and orchestrating many terror attacks in the country.
Archbishop Justin expressed deep concern over the issue in the House of Lords on Tuesday and asked how the British government can help stop the violence in the West African nation.
In a follow-up to a question from Baroness Cox about the conflict in Nigeria, Archbishop Justin said:
"The minister has rightly said how complex the situation is, but can she answer more specifically what assistance the UK government can do in the short-term to strengthen the government of Nigeria in its role in enforcing security and local mediation; in the medium-term to ensure reconciliation which will enable the lives and economies of farmers and herders to be protected; and in the long term, actively and tangibly to support regional efforts to combat the effects of climate change - the development of desertification which is exacerbating ancient rivalries?"
I'm deeply concerned about the violent attacks on Christians and others in #Nigeria, and the destruction of churches. Here is my question in the @UKHouseofLords today about what support the UK government can give: pic.twitter.com/gtcuF6JtoS
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) July 17, 2018
Peer Baroness Goldie responded saying that the UK government has already offered support to Nigeria's vice president, Yemi Osinbajo.
She added: "We stand ready to support Nigerian-led initiatives," she said.
"We are considering options for how the UK can support reconciliation at local levels. We cannot ignore the fundamental causes for the violence and so we are reviewing HM Government's support for Nigeria in, for example, as the Most Rev Primate suggests, tackling climate change."
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