§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of recent violence in Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [136765]
§ Mr. HainI was saddened to hear of the serious outbreak of rioting in Lagos on 15–18 October. At least 200 people were killed, and over 16,000 fled their homes.
The violence was predominantly between the Yoruba and Hausa communities. Its immediate cause remains unclear. The Oodua Peoples Congress, a militant Yoruba organisation, were heavily involved.
The security forces brought the situation under control, and made many arrests.
I deplore all such incidents. I urge the communities involved to resolve their differences through dialogue not violence.