Buhari: Girls' reported abduction a 'national disaster'

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari says that the reported abduction of schoolgirls by militant Isalmist group Boko Haram is a "national disaster", and no effort will be spared to rescue them. 

In his first statement since the militants stormed the boarding school in north-eastern Yobe State on Monday, Mr Buhari said:

The entire country stands as one with the girls’ families, the government and the people of Yobe State. This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened and share your pain."

It is unclear how many girls are missing from the boarding school

Mr Buhari said he had instructed the security agencies to ensure that the girls are returned safely to their families, and the attackers arrested and made to face justice.

He added:

Our government is sending more troops and surveillance aircraft to keep an eye on all movements in the entire territory on a 24-hour basis, in the hope that all the missing girls will be found.”