France pledges help for Nigeria in hunt for kidnapped girls

PARIS, France (UPDATED) – President Francois Hollande pledged Wednesday, May 7, that France would help Nigeria look for more than 200 girls kidnapped by Islamist militant group Boko Haram in an incident that has triggered global shock and condemnation.

The extremists seized a first batch of schoolgirls in Nigeria’s restive northeast three weeks ago, saying they were holding them as “slaves” and threatening to sell them, and have since kidnapped other girls in the area. (READ: Nigeria president vows to free abducted girls)

“The president said that France will do everything to help Nigeria chase down this group and find the kidnapped hostages,” government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said after a cabinet meeting chaired by Hollande.

“We are dealing with one of the most atrocious forms of terrorism because it involves kidnapping and trafficking children,” he added. (READ: Outrage grows two weeks after Nigeria schoolgirls kidnapped)

Described as “heartbreaking” and “outrageous” by US President Barack Obama on Tuesday, May 6, the kidnappings have drawn several pledges of help from the international community.

Washington has deployed military experts to Nigeria to help search for the girls and Britain has offered unspecified practical help.

Hollande’s comments came as Boko Haram this week kidnapped another 11 girls from a village in Borno state, the epicenter of the group’s 5-year Islamist uprising. (READ: Boko Haram claims Nigeria schoolgirls abduction in new video) 

‘Special team’

France also offered Nigeria a “special team” to look for more than 200 girls kidnapped by Islamist militant group Boko Haram in an incident that has triggered global shock and condemnation.

The extremists seized a first batch of schoolgirls in Nigeria’s restive northeast three weeks ago, saying they were holding them as “slaves” and threatening to sell them, and have since kidnapped other girls in the area.

“A special team with all our resources in the region is at the disposal of Nigeria to help in the search and recovery of these young girls,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told parliament.

France already has troops on the ground in Mali not far away, where they continue to engage in intelligence gathering to further weaken armed Islamists in the north after driving them out of towns they had occupied for months.

“The president gave the defense minister and myself the order… to put our (intelligence) services at the disposal of Nigeria and neighboring countries,” Fabius said.

Washington has deployed military experts to Nigeria to help search for the girls and Britain has offered unspecified practical help. 

And on Wednesday, witnesses and a local senator said the extremist group had staged a bloody attack in the northeastern town of Gamboru Ngala, firing on fleeing civilians and killing hundreds. – Rappler.com