Minister for Africa in Nigeria for meeting on Boko Haram
James Duddridge visits Abuja today to discuss regional coordination in the fight against terrorist group Boko Haram
Speaking this morning before the Ministerial meeting on security in Nigeria, the Minister for Africa said:
I welcome the Government of Nigeria’s decision to host this important meeting on security in Nigeria. It is vital we continue the momentum generated at the 12 June Ministerial meeting in London.
I look forward to speaking to regional and international partners on the progress made in implementing the decisions we made in London, including on regional intelligence sharing and regional coordinated border patrols. Boko Haram is a growing threat to peace and stability in the region, and regional coordination between Nigeria and its neighbours remains crucial to defeating the extremists and locating the missing Chibok girls.
In London, the UK announced a substantial package of military, security and development assistance. I will be updating partners on the significant progress made on implementation of this package, whilst underlining that respect for human rights and safeguarding the civilian population remain the key pillars of our support.
Most importantly, with our French, US and other international partners, we will today again reiterate our common stance that we cannot, and will not, tolerate Boko Haram’s brutal and inhumane crimes.
Further information
Follow the Foreign Office on twitter @foreignoffice