Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has (a) made to and (b) received from the Nigerian Government on the use of force against unarmed citizens in the south-east region of that country.

We were concerned by reports of violent clashes between security forces and separatist protesters in Abia State. We recognise the right to peaceful and lawful protest as part of the democratic process. During my visit to Nigeria in June, I raised the issue of community tensions with the Governor of Kaduna. The Governors of the Northern States of Nigeria condemned the threats against the Igbo people, as did Vice President Osinbajo, then Acting President, who also called for unity.