Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Government of Nigeria on a strategy to reduce the number of abductions in the north of that country.

We regularly discuss ongoing efforts to improve the security situation in northern Nigeria, including reducing the number of abductions, with the Nigeria government at the highest levels.

The Nigerian armed forces have degraded Boko Haram and secured the release of some of those abducted, but the group remains a threat to security in the region. We are committed to supporting Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against this barbaric group and call for the release of all remaining hostages.

Tackling Boko Haram requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the political, economic and development problems in north east Nigeria, in addition to a security response. We are providing a substantial package of military, intelligence, development and humanitarian support to Nigeria. This includes a comprehensive range of training for the Nigerian armed forces and £5 million to support the Multinational Joint Task Force, the regional force against Boko Haram.