The Prime Minister has been urged to challenge the president of Nigeria over the persecution of Christians in the country, during his upcoming state visit to the UK. 

Bola Tinubu, and his wife Oluremi, will be hosted at Windsor Castle for a state banquet on Wednesday, meeting Keir Starmer in Downing Street on Thursday. 

Parliament’s all-party group for freedom of religion or belief has written to the government, urging the issue of violence against Christians be addressed. 

The letter, sent from its more than 200 members, raises concerns about how the Nigerian state and security services have “denied the scale or nature of these attacks”, according to The Telegraph. It highlights the case of Leah Sharibu, who was abducted by Boko Haram in 2018 and has not been released as she refuses to renounce her faith. 

Jim Shannon MP, chairman of the group, told The Telegraph that persecution “is a vital issue and one the Prime Minister must raise directly with President Tinubu during the state visit. 

“The UK has a long-standing relationship with Nigeria, and that partnership should include clear expectations around the protection of Christians, democratic standards and the rule of law,” he added. 

More Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world, according to anti-persecution mission Open Doors. Last year, 3,490 believers were killed in Nigeria, with at least 4,849 killed around the world.

Nigeria ranks seventh on its World Watch List, with Christians subjected to violent attacks from Islamist and Fulani militant groups targeting their communities and churches. Sharia law has been introduced in 12 northern states.