Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to assist the Nigerian government in combating Al-Shabab and prevent the kidnap of young people.

We have no evidence that Al-Shabab operate in Nigeria, however we are committed to working with the Nigerian authorities to tackle terrorism in Nigeria, including the abduction of young people by Boko Haram.

Following the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram in April, the Prime Minister offered a package of assistance to the Nigerian government. This included a pledge of £1 million to the UN's Safe Schools Initiative, which aims to protect children at school. DFID will also be working with US AID on a new education initiative to bring an additional 1 million children into education in northern Nigeria by 2020. DFID will also undertake further work through its existing education programmes to ensure that schools are safer in eight other northern states in Nigeria.

Following the Prime Minister's offer to Nigeria in May and the 12 June Nigeria Ministerial meeting in London, the Foreign Secretary announced new counter terrorism support for Nigeria in tackling Boko Haram. This includes tactical advice and training for the Nigerian military and support to regional intelligence sharing arrangements. Our support is being closely coordinated with that of international partners.