Nigerian Govt is committed to the fight against terror Abuja, Nigeria (CNN) ---- Doyin Okupe Nigeria defended its response to the kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls by the terror group Boko Haram, even as details emerged Tuesday about a second mass abduction, adding to a growing global outrage over the fate of the children. President Goodluck Jonathan has been under fire over accusations the government initially ignored and then later downplayed the abduction of the girls, who have become the focal point of a social media campaign demanding their safe return. The President and the government (are) not taking this as easy as people all over the world think, Doyin Okupe, a spokesman for Jonathan told CNN. Weve done a lot -- but we are not talking about it. Were not Americans. Were not showing people, you know, but it does not mean that we are not doing something. In detailing the governments response, two special battalions have been devoted to the search for the missing girls, Okupe said. That includes 250 locations that have been searched by helicopters and airplanes. U.S. offer of military help In a sign that Nigeria may be bowing to international pressure and outrage, the government announced the creation of an information center dedicated to answering questions and providing daily updates about rescue efforts, Okupe said. Nigerias President also accepted an offer of U.S. military support in the search for the girls. So what weve done is — we have offered, and its been accepted — help from our military and our law enforcement officials, U.S. President Barack Obama told NBC News on Tuesday. Were going to do everything we can to provide assistance to them. That help includes the creation of a coordination cell to provide intelligence, investigations and hostage negotiation expertise, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. The cell will include U.S. military personnel, she said. The joint coordination cell will be established at the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Abuja, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the work is expected to begin immediately.
Posted on: Thu, 08 May 2014 11:19:21 +0000
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