The White House said Tuesday the US is preparing to send a team to Nigeria to help the government in the search for nearly 300 schoolgirls abducted from their school more than three weeks ago.
Press secretary Jay Carney said Secretary of State John Kerry made the offer during a conversation Tuesday with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. He said the Nigerian president “welcomed” Kerry’s offer to send a team to discuss assistance, and that the US Embassy is prepared to form an “interdisciplinary team” to provide expertise on everything from intelligence to investigations to hostage negotiations.
He said the team would include US military and law enforcement personnel. Stressing that the kidnappings happened 22 days ago, he said: “Time is of the essence. Appropriate action must be taken to locate and to free these young women before they are trafficked or killed.”
He urged the Nigerian government to ensure that it is using all available resources to ensure the safe return of the girls.
President Obama and Kerry were to discuss the issue at a White House meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The development comes as Boko Haram, the group of militants responsible for last month’s mass kidnapping, seized eight more girls on Monday.
This article originally appeared on Fox News.
