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 effect of suicide bombings on the stability of Nigeria since the beginning of 2014.

Nigeria faces a serious threat from Boko Haram attacks, including suicide bombings.

We believe that more than 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram this year, and over 1.5 million have been displaced.

The UK condemns these acts of terrorism. We continue to support Nigeria’s work to tackle insecurity and prevent the spread of terrorism. This includes training and advice to Nigerian units deployed against Boko Haram; support to the Nigerian government in bringing increased development and prosperity to the North East; and a commitment to draw one million more children into education in Northern Nigeria by 2020.

I led the UK delegation to a meeting of regional foreign minister in Abuja on 3 September, where I emphasised the importance of regional coordination and focus to end the threat posed by Boko Haram.