Theresa Villiers, MP for Barnet, has joined a group of Parliamentarians calling on Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, to work with the Nigerian Government to support efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the violent attack on St Francis Xavier’s Church in Owu in Ondo State Nigeria on 5th June 2022.
This took place during a packed service for Pentacost Sunday. Over 40 Christians were murdered, and more than 70 injured. To date, none of the perpetrators of the attack have been brought to justice.
On 22nd November, Ms Villiers attended an event in Westminster jointly hosted by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Fiona Bruce MP.
She met two survivors of the atrocity: Margaret and Dominic Attah, who have given testimony around the horrific ordeal they endured.
Dominic Attah told Parliamentarians that just as the Mass was ending, Islamist militants stormed the church and opened fire into the crowd. The attackers began lighting sticks of dynamite and throwing them into the crowd. His wife, Margaret, sought shelter beneath the altar. As she was hiding, an explosive detonated in front of her. She lost both her legs, and the sight in one of her eyes, as a result.
These conversations took place in Parliament on the day known as #RedWednesday an annual event to remember Christians under attack around the world.
Inspired by the brave testimony of Dominic and Margaret, Theresa added her name to a letter to the Foreign Secretary, coordinated by ACN, saying “The attack on St Francis Xavier was vile and shocking. It is incomprehensible that people could commit such atrocities against a community attending a church service. It was distressing to hear what Dominic and Margaret experienced that day.”
“For many years I have been speaking out in support of the persecuted church. I therefore wanted to back this appeal to David Cameron to do all he can to ensure that the perpetrators of this horror are held accountable.”
“I hope that this letter will be an important reminder to the new Foreign Secretary that this is an issue with many MPs care about greatly, as do their constituents.”
