NIGERIA: "Great deal of hope" girls will be found -- U.S. Congressman visiting Nigeria

Record ID: 236793

  • Title: NIGERIA: "Great deal of hope" girls will be found -- U.S. Congressman visiting Nigeria
  • Date: 7th June 2014
  • Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (JUNE 07, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN CHRISTOPHER SMITH CHATTING WITH PEOPLE NOTEPAD IN SMITH'S HAND (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN, CHRISTOPHER SMITH, SAYING: "There is a great deal of hope that they will be found. I'm frankly not at liberty to talk about to talk about any specifics. I have been briefed, but it would be wrong to disclose any of that. But I know that we are working hand in glove with the French and the UK -- and of course the Nigerians -- to try and discover the whereabouts and find some means of safely securing their release." SMITH BEING INTERVIEWED (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN, CHRISTOPHER SMITH, SAYING: "I always believe -- especially in a situation where there is terrorism involved -- that we all have to manage our expectations. This isBoko Haram is a lethal force. They have grown in capability, in weapons and the ability to evade detection. You know, the effort will be protracted, no one is going to let up until the girls are released and until this violence is ended." CONGRESSMAN CHRISTOPHER SMITH DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS TO PRESS
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Crime,Conflict,International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAE59I70JZM1W8F94C85O07JQKW
  • Story Text: United States Congressman Christopher Smith on Saturday (June 7) told press in Abuja that the international community were working with Nigeria to secure the release of the kidnapped girls.
    The congressman, who is the Chairman of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, said he is hopeful that the girls will be returned.
    "There is a great deal of hope that they will be found. I'm frankly not at liberty to talk about to talk about any specifics. I have been briefed, but it would be wrong to disclose any of that. But I know that we are working hand in glove with the French and the UK -- and of course the Nigerians -- to try and discover the whereabouts and find some means of safely securing their release," he said.
    Smith's comments came at a meeting with the press and few other protesters shortly before the daily sit-in protest at the park.
    Boko Haram on April 14 abducted over 200 schoolgirls writing exams in Northeast Nigeria, the girls are yet to be found.
    "I always believe -- especially in a situation where there is terrorism involved -- that we all have to manage our expectations. This isBoko Haram is a lethal force. They have grown in capability, in weapons and the ability to evade detection. You know, the effort will be protracted, no one is going to let up until the girls are released and until this violence is ended," Smith added.
    The girls' plight has shone the international spotlight on a violent 5-year-old battle for an Islamic state by insurgents who have killed thousands since 2009.
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