To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the government of Nigeria on its military action in the Niger Delta. (279777)

The Government have been following events closely since the Nigerian Joint Task Force (JTF) offensive commenced in the Niger Delta in mid-May. Our high commission in Abuja was quick to raise our concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.

We have received assurances from both the Nigerian Foreign Minister and the Nigerian Military High Command that their aim is to avoid civilian casualties and that any humanitarian needs would be addressed. We are continuing to monitor reports from the Delta from non-governmental organisations and others.

We also pressed for the EU Troika to raise the situation with the Nigerian Government in a Ministerial Troika meeting on 9 June 2009.