Chibok girls: Britain deploys intelligence gathering resources to Nigeria

Britain has promised to deploy its intelligence gathering resources in support of Nigeria’s security agencies’ efforts rescuing the abducted schoolgirls of Chibok, Borno State. The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, disclosed this in a statement today. Abati said in furtherance of efforts by the Federal Government to locate […]

Britain has promised to deploy its intelligence gathering resources in support of Nigeria’s security agencies’ efforts rescuing the abducted schoolgirls of Chibok, Borno State.

The Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, disclosed this in a statement today.

Abati said in furtherance of efforts by the Federal Government to locate and rescue the abducted girls, Jonathan yesterday requested and received a commitment from Britain to deploy its intelligence gathering resources in support of Nigeria’s security agencies currently engaged in the search and rescue operation.

He said Jonathan, who spoke with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, on the phone, asked and received a promise of the deployment of British Satellite Imaging Capabilities and other advanced tracking technologies in support of the ongoing effort.

He quoted the president as thanking Cameron as well as the people and the government of Britain for their concern over the fate of the abducted girls and their willingness to provide concrete assistance to save the captives from their captors.

The presidential spokesman said Jonathan told Cameron that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would liaise with the British Government through its High Commission in Nigeria to work out practical details of the promised support and collaboration against terrorism.

Abati added that in talks with Jonathan earlier today, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang had  promised that his country would make any useful information acquired by its satellites and intelligence services available to Nigeria’s security agencies.

He quoted Keqiang as assuring that China would support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism in every possible way, including the training of military personnel for anti-insurgency operations.