To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK support to aid the release of Leah Sharibu, the only girl who remains kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Answered on
16 June 2020
In response to the attack on Leah's school in Dapchi, the then Foreign Secretary spoke to the Nigerian Vice President to offer UK assistance in the recovery of the missing girls. The UK remains committed to supporting the Nigerian Government secure the release of Leah Sharibu and all others abducted by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief met Leah's mother in February and reaffirmed UK support to Nigerian Government efforts to tackle terrorism. The Nigerian Government has provided assurances that they are doing all they can to secure the release of Leah and others kidnapped. President Buhari issued a statement in February, reiterating his Government's commitment to bring Leah home safely.
The Prime Minister discussed UK support for fighting terrorism in Nigeria with President Buhari at the UK Africa Investment Summit in January. The UK is providing a comprehensive package of security, humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to Nigeria to help tackle the threat from these terrorist groups. This includes: capacity building support for the Nigerian armed forces, with an emphasis on adherence to internationally recognised Rules of Engagement, International Human Rights and Humanitarian law; counter-IED and bomb scene management training; and support to the Multinational Joint Task Force, a regional taskforce which seeks to coordinate military efforts in the region.