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Boko Haram abduction: US and UK step up military effort to find girls Boko Haram abduction: US and UK step up military effort to find girls
(about 2 hours later)
The US and Britain have stepped up military assistance to the Nigerian government as part of a mounting international effort to find and rescue more than 200 teenage girls abducted by Islamist militants almost a month ago.The US and Britain have stepped up military assistance to the Nigerian government as part of a mounting international effort to find and rescue more than 200 teenage girls abducted by Islamist militants almost a month ago.
US surveillance planes have begun flying missions over a remote area of the country, and Washington has also sent experts to "dig in on the search" and provided the government with satellite images. US surveillance planes have begun flying missions over a remote area of the country, and Washington has sent experts to "dig in on the search" and provided the government with satellite images.
A British team, including military advisers and family liaison officers, has been in Abuja since Friday to help the government gather information on the whereabouts of the schoolgirls and their abductors and to provide training. A British team, including military advisers and family liaison officers, has been in the capital, Abuja, since Friday to help the government gather information on the whereabouts of the schoolgirls and their abductors and to provide training.
A joint US-British advisory team is being expanded to include French experts, China has sent experts to help in the search and Israel has offered to join the international effort.A joint US-British advisory team is being expanded to include French experts, China has sent experts to help in the search and Israel has offered to join the international effort.
The plight of the schoolgirls and the desperation of their families has captured world attention, with abhorrence focused on Boko Haram, the violent jihadist group that is holding the girls.The plight of the schoolgirls and the desperation of their families has captured world attention, with abhorrence focused on Boko Haram, the violent jihadist group that is holding the girls.
Protests were held in cities across the world on Tuesday.Protests were held in cities across the world on Tuesday.
There has also been widespread criticism of the Nigerian authorities, whose efforts to find the captives is perceived to have been lax. There has been widespread criticism of the Nigerian authorities, whose efforts to find the captives are perceived to have been lax.
Tanimu Turaki, a government minister, suggested on Tuesday that Abuja was ready to talk to Boko Haram. "Dialogue is a key option" in bringing the crisis to an end, he told the BBC, adding that "an issue of this nature can be resolved outside of violence". He told Reuters the government had set up a committee to negotiate with the militants "so if they have any negotiation to make it should be channelled through the committee." Tanimu Turaki, a government minister, suggested on Tuesday that Abuja was ready to talk to Boko Haram. "Dialogue is a key option" in bringing the crisis to an end, he told the BBC, adding that "an issue of this nature can be resolved outside of violence". He told Reuters the government had set up a committee to negotiate with the militants "so if they have any negotiation to make it should be channelled through the committee".
"The window of negotiation is still open," he said."The window of negotiation is still open," he said.
Another Nigerian official, Mike Omeri, said however that the authorities would "use whatever kind of action" it took to rescue the girls, and that an internationally-assisted military operation was possible. Another Nigerian official, Mike Omeri, said the authorities would "use whatever kind of action" it took to rescue the girls, and that an internationally assisted military operation was possible.
The US state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Washington was providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. Military and law enforcement teams on the ground were "digging in on the search and co-ordinating closely with the Nigerian government as well as international partners and allies", she said. The US state department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said Washington was providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support. Military and law enforcement teams on the ground were "digging in on the search and co-ordinating closely with the Nigerian government as well as international partners and allies", she said.
A senior Obama administration official said: "We have shared commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerians and are flying manned ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] assets over Nigeria with the government's permission."A senior Obama administration official said: "We have shared commercial satellite imagery with the Nigerians and are flying manned ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] assets over Nigeria with the government's permission."
Brigadier Ivan Jones, a British military specialist said: "The Nigerian military has welcomed our arrival and we are working together closely to build the information picture and establish where else we can co-operate. No one should underestimate the scale and complexity of this incident and environment. But it is clear that there are areas where we can have a real impact on their capability." Brigadier Ivan Jones, a British military specialist, said: "The Nigerian military has welcomed our arrival and we are working together closely to build the information picture and establish where else we can cooperate. No one should underestimate the scale and complexity of this incident and environment. But it is clear that there are areas where we can have a real impact on their capability."
More than 270 girls were snatched by militants from their boarding school in Chibok, north-eastern Nigeria, on the night of 14 April. Some managed to escape, but most were taken into the remote Sambisa forest. Their families fear they have been forced into sex slavery, or will be trafficked to other countries. More than 270 girls were snatched by militants from their boarding school in Chibok, north-eastern Nigeria, on the night of 14 April. Some escaped, but most were taken into the remote Sambisa forest. Their families fear they have been forced into sex slavery, or will be trafficked to other countries.
On Monday, Boko Haram released a 27-minute video showing about 130 girls in Muslim dress and reading from the Qur'an. Most of the seized girls are Christians. Two were singled out to tell the camera they had converted to Islam.On Monday, Boko Haram released a 27-minute video showing about 130 girls in Muslim dress and reading from the Qur'an. Most of the seized girls are Christians. Two were singled out to tell the camera they had converted to Islam.
In the video, Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, said the girls could be released in exchange for jailed militants. "I swear to almighty Allah, you will not see them again until you release our brothers that you have captured," he said.In the video, Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, said the girls could be released in exchange for jailed militants. "I swear to almighty Allah, you will not see them again until you release our brothers that you have captured," he said.
The video was "callous and shocking", said the Foreign Office minister, Mark Simmonds, who is due to visit Abuja on Wednesday. "This shows exactly why the UK and others have sent teams to help the Nigerians in their efforts to find [the girls] and bring them home," he added. The video was "callous and shocking", said the Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds, who is due to visit Abuja on Wednesday. "This shows exactly why the UK and others have sent teams to help the Nigerians in their efforts to find [the girls] and bring them home."
The former British prime minister, Gordon Brown, who called for international military assistance two weeks ago and travelled to Nigeria last week, said on Monday: "There will be worldwide condemnation of a new video showing Boko Haram cruelly and barbarically using 200 kidnapped girls to bargain for the release of prisoners and exploiting innocent young girls for political purposes. The former British prime minister Gordon Brown, who called for international military assistance two weeks ago and travelled to Nigeria last week, said on Monday: "There will be worldwide condemnation of a new video showing Boko Haram cruelly and barbarically using 200 kidnapped girls to bargain for the release of prisoners and exploiting innocent young girls for political purposes.
"It is urgent that all religious leaders in every part of the world speak out against their perverted and twisted version of Islam which involves forced conversions and the sale of girls as sex slaves." "It is urgent that all religious leaders in every part of the world speak out against their perverted and twisted version of Islam, which involves forced conversions and the sale of girls as sex slaves."
Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, offered his country's help in a telephone call to Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday. "Israel expresses its deep shock at the crime committed against the girls," he said. "We are willing to help assist in locating the girls and fighting the terror that is afflicting you."Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, offered his country's help in a telephone call to Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday. "Israel expresses its deep shock at the crime committed against the girls," he said. "We are willing to help assist in locating the girls and fighting the terror that is afflicting you."
High-profile figures around the world have backed the campaign for the girls' release, rallying behind the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. Michelle Obama took over her husband's weekly presidential address to express "outrage and heartbreak" over the mass abduction, and to pledge US government support for the rescue effort.High-profile figures around the world have backed the campaign for the girls' release, rallying behind the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls. Michelle Obama took over her husband's weekly presidential address to express "outrage and heartbreak" over the mass abduction, and to pledge US government support for the rescue effort.
Malala's support
The proceeds from the auction of a portrait of schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for education for girls, will go to non-profit organisations in Nigeria focused on education for girls and women, the Malala Fund has announced. The portrait of the 16-year-old, by British artist Jonathan Yeo, is expected to fetch up to £47,000 when it is auctioned at Christie's in New York on Wednesday. Miss Yousafzai said: "I was shocked and saddened when I heard about the abduction of more than 200 girls by terrorists in Nigeria. I am very concerned about these innocent girls – my sisters – whose only crime was going to school and learning." "I believe it is our duty to stand together in solidarity with their parents, families and relatives. We all have a voice and we must speak up and call on the international community and the government of Nigeria to intervene and bring these girls back to their homes safely.
"Together we can create a world where no child will be out of school and no student will fear for her or his safety."
Press Association