We welcome this report and its recognition that the underlying drivers of violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt are complex. The Minister for Africa visited Nigeria in February 2022 and raised rising insecurity and its impact on the Nigerian people in meetings with the Vice President, Foreign Minister and several State Governors. The Minister was pleased to be able to meet with a range of interlocutors, including faith and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) leaders, who are working towards peace in Nigeria's Middle Belt. In all these meetings, the Minister reiterated the UK's commitment to working with actors across Nigeria to address violence, protect human rights, and promote dialogue and respect between different ethnic and religious communities. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

The Government condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria, including in the Middle Belt, which has a devastating impact on affected communities. Islamic extremism is a driver of conflict involving terrorist groups in the North East. The drivers of intercommunal violence elsewhere in Nigeria, including in the Middle Belt, are complex and frequently relate to competition over resources and criminality.

Through our Security and Defence partnership, we are working with the Government of Nigeria to respond to both domestic security challenges across Nigeria, and shared security threats. We are looking to refresh our partnership in the coming months to agree future cooperation to help respond to increasing insecurity across Nigeria, promote human rights and respond to shared threats, including on terrorism and serious organised crime in Nigeria.

We condemn all violence across Nigeria, the devastating effects of which are felt by communities of different faiths. We are aware of the Gatestone Institute report. Jihadist ideology is a driver of the conflict involving terrorist groups in the North East. We assess that the drivers of intercommunal violence elsewhere in Nigeria are complex and frequently relate to competition over resources and criminality. We regularly visit states affected by intercommunal violence to engage with state governments, civil society, faith and community leaders and affected communities. The Prime Minister discussed a range of issues with President Buhari, including security, in the margins of the Global Education Summit in July. We continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to protect all those at risk of violence and implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence.

The UK Government condemns all killings and incidents of violence against innocent Nigerian civilians, including terrorist attacks in North East Nigeria. Terrorist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) have caused immense suffering to both Muslim and Christian 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 draws on a range of robust data sources to assess the scale of attacks by terrorist groups on communities across Nigeria, including in the North East, where the majority of the population is Muslim. These sources include the Armed Conflict and Location Event Data (ACLED) database and UN reporting. The UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWA.

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.

We are concerned by reports that civilians from the town of Kukawa, Borno State, North East Nigeria were abducted by Islamic State West Africa after recently returning to the town from internally displaced persons' camps. The High Commission in Abuja has raised our concerns with the Governor of Borno State. We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of ensuring that returns take place in accordance with international guidelines, and have urged the UN and Borno State Government to re-convene the returns task force so the taskforce can advise on whether locations are safe for returns.

The UK Government condemns all abductions by terrorist groups in Nigeria, including Islamic State West Africa. We are providing a comprehensive package of security, recovery and stabilisation assistance to help Nigeria tackle the terrorist threat and provide humanitarian assistance to meet the lifesaving needs of vulnerable communities.

The UK Government also condemns all incidents of intercommunal violence that occur across many states in Nigeria, including some Northern and Middle Belt states. A wide range of perpetrators are responsible for these incidents, including individuals and groups from various backgrounds and a range of faiths. Intercommunal violence affects both Christian and Muslim communities; we do not assess religion to be the principal driver of most incidents. The underlying drivers of conflict are more complex and frequently relate to competition over resources and criminality. The Minister for Africa discussed intercommunal violence with the President's Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari on 29 June.

We will continue to make clear to the Nigerian authorities at the highest levels the importance of protecting civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and human rights for all Nigerians.

Our current assessment is that terrorist activity in Nigeria is limited to North East Nigeria. We continue to support Nigeria and the other states affected by the conflict in the Lake Chad Basin - Niger, Chad and Cameroon - to tackle the terrorist threat and support communities. We work closely with the UN in the region, including through our support to the UN Development Programme stabilisation facility in North East Nigeria and the work of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel.

On the Middle Belt, the UK Government has engaged closely with the Federal Government of Nigeria, state governments, international partners and the National Economic Council to help respond to the complex drivers of intercommunal violence and push for solutions.

The UK Government has no plans to make representations to the UN Security Council on the deployment of peacekeeping forces to Nigeria. We do not assess their deployment to be the most effective or appropriate way to tackle the terrorist threat in North East Nigeria or the intercommunal violence in the Middle Belt.

The UK Government remains concerned about the deteriorating security situation in parts of Nigeria, including in the northern and central states. We have made clear to the Nigerian authorities, at the highest levels, the importance of protecting civilians and human rights for all Nigerians. Our current assessment is that terrorist activity is limited to North East Nigeria where Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa conduct appalling attacks on all those who do not subscribe to their extremist views. The UK drafted a UN Security Council press statement, released on 16 June, condemning the recent terror attacks in Felo, Monguno and Nganzai, Borno State.

We acknowledge that intercommunal violence and criminality has devastating effects on communities in Northern and central states. We have engaged closely with the UN, Federal Government, state governments, the National Economic Council and other international partners to help address the drivers of intercommunal violence and push for solutions. We have encouraged efforts by the UN's Office for West Africa & the Sahel, UNOWAS, to increase engagement with regional governments on efforts to address the long-term causes and drivers of violence. We reiterated our commitment to the region in a UK statement on 5 June at the UN Security Council, setting out our intention to work with the UN and international partners to ensure peace, stability, sustainable development and justice for the people of West Africa and the Sahel, including Nigerians.

The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing reports of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso and the tragic consequences for the population. The number of displaced people due to instability continues to rise. As of March 2020, just under 800 000 people were recorded as displaced in Burkina Faso. The UK condemns the violence and is committed to working with all partners, including the G5 Sahel countries, to support those most in need and tackle the long-term drivers of instability in the region. In March, the Minister for Africa attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and G5 Leaders' Summit, where he reaffirmed the UK's commitment to improved security and increased development in the Sahel. We are also deeply concerned by reports of abuses and violations of human rights in Burkina Faso, including by armed groups and the Burkinabe security forces. We welcome the Government of Burkina Faso's commitment to investigate recent abuses and hold those responsible to account, including following the attack on Malian refugees on 2 May and the deaths of 12 detainees in mid-May.

The UK is supporting Burkina Faso by providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis. Over £23 million of UK humanitarian aid will go to Burkina Faso between 2019 and 2021, including to help tackle food insecurity and treat acute malnutrition.

We are also funding a number of programmes that help provide access to education in emergencies and support women's sexual and reproductive health. The UK is supporting the security response through non-combat assistance to the French-led counter-terrorism mission Operation BARKHANE, in the form of three CH47 chinook helicopters. The UK is also committed to helping the G5 Sahel Joint Force reach full operational capability - bilateral funding has gone towards the provision of non-lethal military equipment and support for the human rights compliance framework. In response to COVID-19, the UK has committed up to £744 million of UK aid to combat the virus and to reinforce the global effort to find a vaccine. In the Sahel, the UK is seeking to make sure existing programmes adapt to new needs and is working with partners like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank to ensure that countries in the region, including Burkina Faso, get the support they need to respond to COVID-19 and manage its impact.

The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing reports of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso and the tragic consequences for the population. The number of displaced people due to instability continues to rise. As of March 2020, just under 800 000 people were recorded as displaced in Burkina Faso. The UK condemns the violence and is committed to working with all partners, including the G5 Sahel countries, to support those most in need and tackle the long-term drivers of instability in the region. In March, the Minister for Africa attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and G5 Leaders' Summit, where he reaffirmed the UK's commitment to improved security and increased development in the Sahel. We are also deeply concerned by reports of abuses and violations of human rights in Burkina Faso, including by armed groups and the Burkinabe security forces. We welcome the Government of Burkina Faso's commitment to investigate recent abuses and hold those responsible to account, including following the attack on Malian refugees on 2 May and the deaths of 12 detainees in mid-May.

The UK is supporting Burkina Faso by providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis. Over £23 million of UK humanitarian aid will go to Burkina Faso between 2019 and 2021, including to help tackle food insecurity and treat acute malnutrition.

We are also funding a number of programmes that help provide access to education in emergencies and support women's sexual and reproductive health. The UK is supporting the security response through non-combat assistance to the French-led counter-terrorism mission Operation BARKHANE, in the form of three CH47 chinook helicopters. The UK is also committed to helping the G5 Sahel Joint Force reach full operational capability - bilateral funding has gone towards the provision of non-lethal military equipment and support for the human rights compliance framework. In response to COVID-19, the UK has committed up to £744 million of UK aid to combat the virus and to reinforce the global effort to find a vaccine. In the Sahel, the UK is seeking to make sure existing programmes adapt to new needs and is working with partners like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank to ensure that countries in the region, including Burkina Faso, get the support they need to respond to COVID-19 and manage its impact.

The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing reports of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso and the tragic consequences for the population. The number of displaced people due to instability continues to rise. As of March 2020, just under 800 000 people were recorded as displaced in Burkina Faso. The UK condemns the violence and is committed to working with all partners, including the G5 Sahel countries, to support those most in need and tackle the long-term drivers of instability in the region. In March, the Minister for Africa attended the first meeting of the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and G5 Leaders' Summit, where he reaffirmed the UK's commitment to improved security and increased development in the Sahel. We are also deeply concerned by reports of abuses and violations of human rights in Burkina Faso, including by armed groups and the Burkinabe security forces. We welcome the Government of Burkina Faso's commitment to investigate recent abuses and hold those responsible to account, including following the attack on Malian refugees on 2 May and the deaths of 12 detainees in mid-May.

The UK is supporting Burkina Faso by providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis. Over £23 million of UK humanitarian aid will go to Burkina Faso between 2019 and 2021, including to help tackle food insecurity and treat acute malnutrition.

We are also funding a number of programmes that help provide access to education in emergencies and support women's sexual and reproductive health. The UK is supporting the security response through non-combat assistance to the French-led counter-terrorism mission Operation BARKHANE, in the form of three CH47 chinook helicopters. The UK is also committed to helping the G5 Sahel Joint Force reach full operational capability - bilateral funding has gone towards the provision of non-lethal military equipment and support for the human rights compliance framework. In response to COVID-19, the UK has committed up to £744 million of UK aid to combat the virus and to reinforce the global effort to find a vaccine. In the Sahel, the UK is seeking to make sure existing programmes adapt to new needs and is working with partners like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank to ensure that countries in the region, including Burkina Faso, get the support they need to respond to COVID-19 and manage its impact.

The UK is deeply concerned by the scale of terrorist violence in Burkina Faso. We are committed to working with the G5 Sahel countries, including the Burkinabe government, to help address instability in the region. The UK is currently supporting Burkina Faso by providing emergency life-saving assistance to those affected by the conflict crisis. The UK is also providing non-combat assistance to the French-led counter terror mission Operation BARKHANE in the form of three CH47 chinook helicopters; this includes support to operations in Burkina Faso.

The UK supports UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2396 and the associated Madrid Guiding Principles, and contributed to the drafting of both. We encourage Member States to fully implement UNSCR 2396.

We work with a number of multilateral bodies such as UN, Global Counter Terrorism Forum, and the Global Coalition against Daesh amongst others.

The Government published its updated counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, in July 2018. As the Home Secretary set out, it is through working together, with the police, security and intelligence agencies, the private and public sectors, civil society, international partners, and the public, that we will reduce the risk of terrorism and ensure that terrorists cannot and will not change our way of life

The UK supports UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2396 and the associated Madrid Guiding Principles, and contributed to the drafting of both. We encourage Member States to fully implement UNSCR 2396.

We work with a number of multilateral bodies such as UN, Global Counter Terrorism Forum, and the Global Coalition against Daesh amongst others.

The Government published its updated counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, in July 2018. As the Home Secretary set out, it is through working together, with the police, security and intelligence agencies, the private and public sectors, civil society, international partners, and the public, that we will reduce the risk of terrorism and ensure that terrorists cannot and will not change our way of life.

My Lords, we condemn the use of sexual violence by terrorist organisations and are committed to holding perpetrators to account. UK law enforcement agencies are already assessing the threat posed by terrorism and human trafficking globally with our multilateral and bilateral partners. Our team of experts is also supporting efforts to gather evidence of sexual violence in conflict. The report makes a number of valid points and we will give them due consideration.

I assure the noble Baroness that we not only condemn it but act on that. She will be aware of our action at the highest level at the UN Security Council with the passing of Resolution 2331, which addresses the nexus between human trafficking, sexual violence and terrorism. More recently, as I have said to the House, in September this year at the UN Security Council we passed a resolution specifically to set up an investigative team to gather greater evidence on sexual violence and crimes committed by Daesh in Iraq. That demonstrates the action we are taking at an international level to ensure that we tackle this head on.

My Lords, the security situation in north-east Nigeria has improved over the past six months, with Boko Haram being driven from key towns. However, Boko Haram remains a threat, launching regular suicide attacks, often using children. We estimate that more than 20,000 people have been killed, more than 2.2 million people displaced and more than 14.8 million people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.

My Lords, I pay tribute to the noble Baroness for her work in such war-torn areas. She sees at first hand the devastation that these depredations by Boko Haram cause to individuals. She is right to point out the terrible position that people face when they seek to go back to what has been home.

In the 2015-16 financial year, the UK has already planned an additional £4 million of humanitarian support to north-east Nigeria, including through the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The UK development programmes in the north-east of Nigeria are supporting civil society organisations and NGOs that are working to reduce intra-community conflict, promote community governance and security dialogue, reduce violence against women and girls, and improve access to schooling in an area where 600,000 children are out of school.

My Lords, Nigeria faces a serious threat from Boko Haram. We believe that more than 3,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram this year and more than 1.5 million people have been displaced. We are aware of reports that Nigerian authorities have agreed a ceasefire with Boko Haram and are in ongoing negotiations. We are also aware of reports of Boko Haram attacks since the ceasefire announcement. We monitor events closely.

My Lords, I agree entirely with the noble Baroness, to whom I pay tribute for her courageous work, not only in Nigeria but around the world. She is right: Boko Haram deliberately targets the weak and vulnerable, causing suffering in communities of differing faiths and ethnicities. It has no regard for human life. We are in continual discussion with the Nigerian authorities to press exactly as the noble Baroness says, and we give as much support as we can in intelligence matters.