Giorgia Meloni
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s prime minister, has called on the federal government to take decisive action against perpetrators of attacks on Christian communities.
In a statement posted on X, Meloni condemned the latest outbreak of violence, describing the attacks as heinous and unacceptable.
She urged the government to intensify security measures and ensure those behind the killings are brought to justice.
“We strongly condemn the renewed violence that took place today against Christian communities in Nigeria,” she wrote.
Advertisement
”Religious freedom is an inviolable right: we ask the Nigerian government to strengthen the protection of Christian communities and all religious communities and to prosecute those responsible for these heinous attacks.”
The Italian leader said her country stands in solidarity with the families affected and communities living in fear as a result of religiously targeted violence.
“Italy expresses all its closeness to the victims and to the communities in Nigeria who today feel in danger because of their religious beliefs,” she added.
Advertisement
Her comments come amid US scrutiny of escalating attacks in Nigeria, where armed groups, bandits, and extremist fighters have carried out mass killings, kidnappings and raids on villages.
On Friday, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwarra LGA of Niger state.
The Niger state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 315 people — including 303 students and 12 teachers — were abducted.
Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement that tactical police teams, military units and other security agents have been deployed in the area.
Advertisement
The incident occurred on the heels of the abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi state.
Hassan Makuku, the school’s vice principal, lost his life during the attack, while Ali Shehu, a security guard, sustained gunshot injuries.
