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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Nigeria abductions: Michelle Obama 'outraged' | Nigeria abductions: Michelle Obama 'outraged' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| US First Lady Michelle Obama has said the mass kidnap of Nigerian schoolgirls is part of a wider pattern of threats and intimidation facing girls around the world who pursue an education. | US First Lady Michelle Obama has said the mass kidnap of Nigerian schoolgirls is part of a wider pattern of threats and intimidation facing girls around the world who pursue an education. |
| She said she and her husband Barack Obama were "outraged and heartbroken" over the abduction on 14 April of more than 200 girls from their school. | She said she and her husband Barack Obama were "outraged and heartbroken" over the abduction on 14 April of more than 200 girls from their school. |
| She was speaking instead of her husband in the weekly presidential address. | She was speaking instead of her husband in the weekly presidential address. |
| The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has claimed the abductions. | The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has claimed the abductions. |
| 'Call to action' | 'Call to action' |
| Mrs Obama, who was speaking ahead of Mother's Day in the US on Sunday, said the girls reminded her and her husband of their own daughters. | Mrs Obama, who was speaking ahead of Mother's Day in the US on Sunday, said the girls reminded her and her husband of their own daughters. |
| "What happened in Nigeria was not an isolated incident. It's a story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions," she said. | "What happened in Nigeria was not an isolated incident. It's a story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions," she said. |
| She cited the Pakistani schoolgirl and campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who was shot and wounded by the Taliban for speaking out for girls' education. | She cited the Pakistani schoolgirl and campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who was shot and wounded by the Taliban for speaking out for girls' education. |
| "The courage and hope embodied by Malala and girls like her around the world should serve as a call to action," Mrs Obama said. | "The courage and hope embodied by Malala and girls like her around the world should serve as a call to action," Mrs Obama said. |
| It is unusual for a US first lady to make outspoken foreign policy remarks, but Mrs Obama has campaigned for the girls' release. | It is unusual for a US first lady to make outspoken foreign policy remarks, but Mrs Obama has campaigned for the girls' release. |
| Michelle Obama has often appeared alongside her husband during the weekly address, which is broadcast on radio with a video version available online. This is the first time she has delivered the speech alone. | Michelle Obama has often appeared alongside her husband during the weekly address, which is broadcast on radio with a video version available online. This is the first time she has delivered the speech alone. |
| Earlier this week, she tweeted a picture of herself in the White House holding a sign with the message "#BringBackOurGirls". | Earlier this week, she tweeted a picture of herself in the White House holding a sign with the message "#BringBackOurGirls". |
| The UN Security Council expressed outrage over the abductions, saying it would consider "appropriate measures" against Boko Haram. The US is seeking to have UN sanctions imposed on the group. | The UN Security Council expressed outrage over the abductions, saying it would consider "appropriate measures" against Boko Haram. The US is seeking to have UN sanctions imposed on the group. |
| Western help | Western help |
| A small number of US and British experts have arrived in Nigeria to assist with rescue efforts. | A small number of US and British experts have arrived in Nigeria to assist with rescue efforts. |
| A senior US official said Washington was also considering a Nigerian request for surveillance aircraft. | A senior US official said Washington was also considering a Nigerian request for surveillance aircraft. |
| British High Commissioner Andrew Pocock said drones could help gather intelligence but urged caution. | British High Commissioner Andrew Pocock said drones could help gather intelligence but urged caution. |
| He told the BBC's Today programme: "The eye in the sky, even if it were able to be focused on the spot, isn't a panacea." | He told the BBC's Today programme: "The eye in the sky, even if it were able to be focused on the spot, isn't a panacea." |
| Traditional hunters armed with bows and arrows and old-fashioned shotguns are ready to enter the forest where the girls are thought to be held, local officials in Borno state have told the BBC's Mark Doyle. | |
| They say 400 to 500 men have gathered but their departure is not imminent - they still hope the army will step up its efforts. | |
| Our correspondent says it is a sign of Nigerians' frustration with the lack of progress in the search for the girls. | |
| Boko Haram has admitted capturing the girls, saying they should not have been in school and should get married instead. | Boko Haram has admitted capturing the girls, saying they should not have been in school and should get married instead. |
| Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language, began its insurgency in Borno state in 2009. | Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language, began its insurgency in Borno state in 2009. |
| At least 1,200 people are estimated to have died in the violence this year alone. | At least 1,200 people are estimated to have died in the violence this year alone. |