Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will hold discussions with African authorities on ensuring there is no further kidnapping by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

The Government is playing a leading role in the international response to the threat posed by Boko Haram, including its despicable practice of abducting men, women and children in north-eastern Nigeria. On 12 June, my Rt Hon Friend, the Member for Richmond (York) (William Hague MP), the former Foreign Secretary, announced a substantial new package of UK military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria as it tackles the terrorist threat. We continue to engage with Nigerian officials at both Federal and state level on their efforts to secure the release of those abducted and to provide protection from Boko Haram. We are also in touch with Nigeria’s regional partners, who have an important part to play in the effort to tackle Boko Haram. On 3 September my Hon Friend, the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge MP), the Minister for Africa, led the UK delegation at a regional ministerial meeting in Abuja on security in Nigeria. At this meeting he emphasised the importance of regional coordination between Nigeria and its neighbours