Press release
Foreign Secretary condemns abduction of school girls in northern Nigeria
Foreign Secretary appalled by the abduction of up to 100 school girls in northern Nigeria, offers UK help.
Reacting to the abduction, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
I am appalled by the abduction of up to 100 school girls in Borno State, in northern Nigeria. My thoughts and deepest
sympathies are with them, and with their families.
I condemn this cowardly act and those responsible for it. We stand ready to provide assistance to help the Nigerian
government ensure that these children can be returned to their families in safety, and to bring to justice those
responsible.
This attack follows other reports of Boko Haram’s abduction of women and girls, the barbaric murder of schoolchildren
and the use of sexual violence. There is no possible justification for such callous acts, that intentionally target the
most vulnerable people in the cruellest way.
The UK is a firm ally and friend of the people of Nigeria and we will continue to offer staunch support and assistance
as they combat the threat posed by Boko Haram, and address the wider issues raised by this attack.