LWTZE CONVEYS DISAPPROVAL OF THE KIDNAP OF NIGERIAN GIRLS

LWTZE CONVEYS DISAPPROVAL OF THE KIDNAP OF NIGERIAN GIRLS

Lady with the Zoom Effect LWTZE INC strongly condemned the abduction of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls, as the organization begins campaign for their rescue.

The swift reaction came after Amnesty International said that Nigeria’s military had been warned of an attack on a school in which more than 200 girls were abducted by Boko Haram Islamists weeks ago, but failed to act for nearly five hours. The Nigerian military denied the allegation and has launched a round-the-clock search for the missing girls.

At least 10 army search teams were trying to track down the girls in the remote far northeast, border guards were on high alert and the air force had so far flown at least 250 sorties. Nigeria is keen to demonstrate that it is finally acting to trace the 223 girls still missing, after three weeks where the teenagers parents and families accused them of inaction and indifference.

But Amnesty’s allegations are likely to heap further pressure on Nigeria’s embattled government and military. The unanimous UN Security Council declaration said the mass kidnappings may amount to crimes against humanity under international law, but made no explicit reference to charges in the International Criminal Court. The 15 members of the council said they would follow the situation and consider appropriate measures to take against Boko Haram. LWTZE urged their immediate release, without conditions.

Up to 200 armed Boko Haram fighters eventually abducted 276 girls at about 11:45 pm after fighting a small number of police and soldiers stationed in the town. Lwtze director Yeancah Adamu described the situation as a gross dereliction of Nigeria’s duty to protect civilians, adding that people remained skeptical for future attacks.

Meanwhile the girl’s kidnap and the threat by Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau in a video that he would sell them as slaves has triggered world outrage and a groundswell of calls for action on social networks. The US team comprises seven military officials from the US Africa regional command AFRICOM, a State Department expert and three FBI personnel, who arrived State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Four others from the State Department and the USAID aid agency had arrive.

Britain has deployed defence ministry personnel, the Foreign Office said, while French diplomatic sources said a small team was also in Abuja and surveillance equipment was being sent. China and Interpol have also pledged expert support for the rescue efforts amid growing international awareness of Nigeria’s Islamist uprising, which has killed thousands since 2009.