The tragic Nigeria schoolgirl abduction that took place more than two weeks ago is slowly gaining headline attention, and demands to take action to ensure the girls’ safe return have now hit the White House.
In a May 5Â briefing, White House spokesman Jay Carney said that President Obama has been informed about the issue and that the U.S. government will do what’s needed to show support. “The president has been briefed several times, and his national security team continues to monitor the situation there closely,” Carney said. “The State Department has been in regular touch with the Nigerian government about what we might do to help support its efforts to find and free these young women.”
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Secretary of State John Kerry also spoke on the issue during his trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying, “The kidnapping of hundreds of children by Boko Haram is an unconscionable crime, and we will do everything possible to support the Nigerian government to return these young women to their homes.”
Earlier this week, the leader of Boko Haram released a video in which he admitted to the abduction of the schoolgirls and threatened to sell them. With no leads on the condition or location of the girls, the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls continues to trend on Twitter in an effort to show solidarity and support.
On May 4, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted her support, saying, “Access to education is a basic right & an unconscionable reason to target innocent girls. We must stand up to terrorism. #BringBackOurGirls.”
Update: According to Time, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki has announced that the U.S. will send a team of U.S. military personnel, along with law enforcement officials who are experts in investigations and hostage negotiations, and other officials who can assist the efforts of the Nigerian government. While there is no word on whether or not Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has officially accepted the U.S. government’s offer to help, it’s clear that the American government is willing to use its resources to help restore peace in the town of Chibok.