Nigerian President Vows to Free Abducted Schoolgirls

Local Editor

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to find the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram, as US officials weighed a request to provide surveillance aircraft and intelligence, as he said during a forum in the Nigerian capital of Abuja according to Reuters on Thursday.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Abuja, Jonathan thanked foreign nations including the United States, Britain, France and China for their support in trying to rescue the girls, who were kidnapped from a secondary school on April 14 by Boko Haram.
He then moved on to a speech about creating jobs in African economies.
"As a nation we are facing attack from terrorism," Jonathan told delegates. "I believe that the kidnap of these girls will be the beginning of the end of terrorism in Nigeria."

Despite such pledges, Jonathan admitted on national television this week that he had no idea where the girls were.
Meanwhile, US military officials are expected to arrive in Nigeria today [Friday], saying that they will help in search for the more than 200 schoolgirls that have been abducted by Boko Haram in the country.
About 60 US interagency members have been on the ground since before the kidnappings as part of "counterterrorism" efforts with Nigeria, a senior US administration official said.

Other western powers, including the Britain and France will be sending a number of troops to Nigeria, AP reported on Wednesday.
US Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said fewer than 10 troops are being sent as part of the larger US assistance team to include State Department and Justice Department personnel. The military members will help with communications, logistics and intelligence-planning.
The team is part of a larger US contingent that includes officials from the FBI and the departments of Defense, Justice and State.
 
Moreover, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, "We're moving swiftly to put in place a team ... that can provide military, law enforcement and information-sharing assistance in support of Nigeria's efforts to find and free the girls."
She added that, "The FBI stands ready to send additional personnel, to provide technical and investigatory assistance, including expertise on hostage negotiations and USAID is working with partners on what we can do to be ready to provide victims' assistance."

France's defense minister also said some 2,000 French troops will stay in Central African Republic at least until autumn.
Meanwhile, China has offered to send "satellite intelligence" to help Nigeria's army locate the girls, while Britain plans to send in a team of experts.
There are already about 70 military personnel in Nigeria, including 50 regularly assigned to the embassy, and 20 Marines have been there for training.
The police on Wednesday offered $300,000 for information leading to the rescue of the girls.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team