Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) human rights and (b) security situation in Nigeria.

We welcome President Buhari's commitment to improve the human rights situation in Nigeria, but more needs to be done. We remain concerned by reports of human rights violations by the Nigerian security forces. We continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of transparent investigations of human rights violations, accountability at all levels, and the protection of civilians in conflict areas and detention.

Boko Haram remains a threat to security in Nigeria and the region. We continue to support Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram through a package of military, development and intelligence support. We are also concerned by clashes involving pastoralists and local farmers across several states. We are engaging with Federal and State Governments to express our concerns and to urge the government to work with the affected populations to develop a solution that meets the needs of all the communities affected.