News
Pressure Mounts on Starmer to Challenge Tinubu on Christian Killings During UK Trip
British lawmakers have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise concerns about the killing of Christians in Nigeria during his upcoming meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom for a state engagement.
President Tinubu and Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, are expected to be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. The royal reception will include a state banquet in their honour as part of a high-profile diplomatic visit.
Following the royal engagement, Tinubu is scheduled to travel to 10 Downing Street on Thursday for talks with Starmer. The visit is expected to mark the first official state visit by a Nigerian president to the United Kingdom in about 37 years.
Ahead of the meeting, members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG FoRB) have written to the UK’s Development Minister, Jenny Chapman, urging the British government to use the opportunity to address concerns about human rights and religious freedom in Nigeria.
The lawmakers said the UK government should press the Nigerian administration to take stronger measures to protect religious communities and ensure justice for victims of violence.
Their concerns come amid reports that Nigeria remains one of the countries where Christians face significant threats from extremist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have carried out numerous attacks in parts of northern Nigeria.
READ ALSO: National Assembly Extends Deadline for Submission of New State, LG Creation Request
Earlier this year, about 163 Christian worshippers were reportedly abducted by armed gangs in Kaduna State, highlighting the continuing wave of kidnappings and violence affecting communities in the region.
Chairman of the parliamentary group and member of the Democratic Unionist Party, Jim Shannon, stated that Nigeria must take decisive action to address the situation.
According to him, the Nigerian government should implement concrete measures to prevent harassment, persecution, and killings of Christians while ensuring that those responsible for such crimes are properly investigated and prosecuted.
The group, which includes more than 200 MPs and members of the House of Lords, also expressed concern that Nigerian authorities have not responded to the attacks with the urgency required.
Among the issues raised in the letter is the case of Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls abducted in 2018 during a mass kidnapping carried out by militants. While several of the abducted girls were later released, Sharibu reportedly remains in captivity after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.
The lawmakers urged the UK government to ensure that discussions on diplomacy, trade, and security with Nigeria are accompanied by firm commitments on human rights protections.
They also requested that the Development Minister provide a response to their concerns before President Tinubu’s visit takes place.
Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, is also expected to engage with Nigeria’s First Lady during the visit. Mrs Tinubu is scheduled to attend an event at Lambeth Palace, the official residence of the Archbishop.
During the gathering, she will participate in a prayer service and is expected to deliver a sermon. The event will also include representatives from the Church of England as well as humanitarian organisations such as Christian Aid, which have been involved in supporting communities affected by conflict and insecurity in Nigeria.
The planned engagements highlight the diplomatic importance of the visit while also placing renewed international attention on security and religious freedom concerns in Nigeria.
Finally, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said the decision would take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
By Gloria Ikibah
As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.
The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.
The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.
In another development, the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.
A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.
Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.
The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.
He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.
“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.
“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”
They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”
The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.
Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
Source: AFP
BREAKING: Finally, Power Minister, Adelabu resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet
Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work
Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz
-
News22 hours agoHow Tinubu Sacked Finance Minister Wale Edun Weeks After Hon. Alex Mascot Exposed ‘Missing’ N1.15tr
-
News22 hours agoYul Edochie Under Attack Over Disparaging Post Against Peter Obi
-
Health22 hours agoCross River reports outbreak of Covid-19, activates response centre
-
News22 hours agoOkowa Accuses Ned Nwoko of Misleading Anioma People Over State Creation Proposal
-
Entertainment22 hours agoDavido Bags Political Appointment
-
Foreign22 hours agoTrump Extends Ceasefire To Give Iran More Time To Negotiate
-
News16 hours agoAdelabu ready to quit as Power Minister after meeting with Tinubu
-
Metro22 hours agoSoldiers Arrest Suspected IPOB Leader Over K!lling Of Delta Police Officer