Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was in north-east Nigeria on Wednesday where the UK is working with the Nigerian military to end terrorist group Boko Haram's reign of terror in the region and the spread of the Islamic State in West Africa.

Nigeria is joint top with Pakistan on the Open Doors World Watch List of places where Christians suffer the worst persecution, having risen two places to number 12 in the past year.

Similarly, the Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the third most terrorised country for the fourth year in a row, with Boko Haram and Fulani militants believed to have killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions from their homes.

Many of Boko Haram's victims are Christians, who are persecuted in the north of the country.

Leah Sharibu is one of hundreds of schoolgirls who have been abducted by the terrorist group in recent years.

She was taken on February 19, 2018 along with over 100 of her classmates. The others were released after a few weeks but she remains in captivity after she refused to deny her Christian faith.

Many of the more than 270 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in 2014 were Christian. At least a hundred of them are still missing.

In addition to targeting police stations, military posts and civic buildings, Boko Haram has carried out deadly attacks on homes and churches.

Mr Hunt, who recently launched a review into Christian persecution, said the UK remained committed to supporting Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa.

Speaking in Maiduguri, Mr Hunt said: "People are being forced from their homes by the evils of extremism and terrorism. Boko Haram and Islamic State are the antithesis of the values we all hold dear, and we will continue to support Nigeria in the fight to give people secure, prosperous and happy lives."