Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to bring to justice those behind the renewed attacks on Christian communities across the country.
Meloni also urged the Nigerian authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable Christian settlements, noting that freedom of worship remains a fundamental human right.
In a statement on Friday, the Italian leader condemned the latest incidents of violence, saying Italy stood in solidarity with victims who now feel endangered because of their faith.
“We strongly condemn the renewed violence against Christian communities in Nigeria today. Religious freedom is an inalienable right: we call on the Nigerian government to strengthen the protection of Christian communities and all religious communities and prosecute those responsible for this heinous attack. Italy expresses its closeness to the victims and communities in Nigeria that today feel in danger because of their religious beliefs,” Meloni said.
Her remarks followed rising global concerns over persistent assaults on Christian worship centres, including the abduction of worshippers in Kwara State during the week.
Gunmen, on Tuesday evening, attacked a church in the Eruku area of the state, killing at least two people before whisking away the pastor and several worshippers. The incident came barely days after 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a boarding school in Kebbi State.
The assault in Eruku has drawn fresh international scrutiny, with former United States President Donald Trump reportedly accusing the Nigerian government of failing to curb violence against Christians and threatening possible military action.
Amid the widespread outrage, President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to South Africa and Angola for the G20 and AU-EU summits. A statement from the Presidency said the cancellation was to allow him receive security briefings on the Kwara and Kebbi attacks.
Tinubu, according to his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also directed security agencies “to do everything possible” to rescue the abducted schoolgirls and track down the attackers.
Reports emerging from Eruku indicate that the gunmen have allegedly demanded a ransom of N3 billion for the release of the kidnapped worshippers.
A community leader and Olori Eta of Eruku, Chief Olusegun Olukotun, confirmed that the bandits had begun contacting families, noting that four of his relatives were among those abducted.
