- Title: NIGERIA: Nigerians march to presidency urging action over missing girls
- Date: 23rd May 2014
- Summary: NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READING (English): "HOPE RISE AS TROOPS SIGHT CHIBOK GIRLS"
- Embargoed: 7th June 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Conflict,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVACGWO7T0NKOBMPSZQ74UNYV9CO
- Story Text: Over 300 Nigerian protesters march to the presidential villa in capital Abuja to demand an update on rescue efforts for the abducted school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants.
Over 300 Nigerian protesters marched to the presidential villa in Abuja on Thursday (May 22) to demand an update from the President on rescue efforts for girls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants.
Earlier on Thursday, Nigerian teachers went on strike and staged rallies nationwide in protest against the kidnappings.
Boko Haram gunmen stormed a school outside the remote northeastern town of Chibok on April 14, carting some 270 girls away in trucks.
More than 50 have since escaped but at least 200 remain in captivity, as do scores of other girls kidnapped previously.
The demonstration was peaceful as protesters marched down to the villa chanting "Bring Back Our Girls".
The protesters demanded to meet with the president to express their grievances.
"We are very very frustrated because they are working against the law, it is our constitutional right to peaceful protest and we've been very peaceful. We are all Nigerians. We are being frustrated by what they are doing," said Ekiyor Welson, lecturer, University of Niger Delta.
"This is wrong it is terribly wrong; our President can do better than this. He is the President of the Nigeria, he is the father of the nation, he needs to talk to Nigerians," he said.
President Goodluck Jonathan and the military have come under intense criticism for their slow reaction to the mass abduction, although last week Nigeria accepted help from the United States, Britain, France and China to help find the girls.
One protester questioned the state of security in the country.
"We also have questions about the military budget, why is it that we are paying so much for security and we are getting so little security at the end of the day. We will finally find out what difference the international collaboration that has been offered to Nigeria is making," protest leader Jibrin Ibrahim said.
The secretary to the government later addressed the protesters assuring them of efforts in ensuring that the girls are liberated.
The United States has deployed about 80 military personnel to Chad in its effort to help find the girls, President Barack Obama told Congress on Wednesday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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