§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Nigerian Government to curb the sectarian violence in(a) the city of Kano, (b) the town of Yelwa and (c) the state of Taraba; and if he will make a statement. [174557]
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§ Mr. MullinThe British High Commission, together with the EU, has urged all parties to the disputes to exercise restraint, and has urged the Nigerian Government to exercise full respect for human rights and the rule of law in restoring order. The British High Commissioner travelled to Kano and his staff went to Plateau State to see the situation at first hand to make these points. We have offered humanitarian support to the relevant authorities.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the numbers of people killed in Nigeria as a result of(a) political, (b) religious and (c) ethnic violence in each year since 1999; and if he will make a statement. [175194]
§ Mr. MullinThe Nigerian Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution estimates that the total number of deaths from political, ethnic and religious violence between 1999–2003 is not less than 10,000.
We have expressed concern at the recent conflict in Plateau State in our public statement of 7 May, a copy of which together with the EU's statement on violence in Kano of 13 May, has been placed in the Library of the House. The British High Commission in Nigeria is in close touch with Federal and State authorities to press for a peaceful resolution to existing conflicts and longer-term reconciliation.