Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to assist law-enforcement mechanisms and courts in Nigeria with capacity-building to ensure that they investigate and prosecute perpetrators of Islamist attacks effectively.

In North East Nigeria, terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa, have caused immense suffering to local communities. These groups seek to undermine the right to freedom of religion or belief, by indiscriminately attacking those of all faiths who do not subscribe to their extremist views.

The UK Government has supported Nigerian efforts to improve security, for example through the provision of technical assistance and capacity building to the Adamawa, Yobe and Borno State Police Forces, which emphasised the importance of fair, transparent, and respectful treatment of civilians. Local police forces play an important role in responding to the terror threat.

We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of ensuring those responsible for terrorist incidents are held to account. It is important for the stabilisation of the North East that victims and those affected by the conflict see that justice has been done. We have also made clear the importance of ensuring suspects have access to justice, and that cases are carried out in accordance with Nigerian law and international human rights standards.