British Troops Join Rescue Mission After Nigerian Military Locate 300 Abducted Chibok Schoolgirls

Nigerian Chief Of Defense Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh

British soldiers have joint local forces in Nigeria to help rescue the almost 300 schoolgirls who are being held hostage by terrorists.BThe UK government said they are determined to give President Goodluck Jonathan all the help his country needs at this time.But they said they are not at a stage where they want confrontation with the Boko Haram terrorist group.

Yesterday, Nigeria's Chief of Defence Alex Badeh confirmed the military do not want to attack the captors to save putting the girls at risk. He said: "The good news for the parents of the girls is that we know where they are…but where they are held. "We can't kill our girls in the name of trying to get them back."

UK and US authorities have been keeping eyes on the situation through aerial surveillance and satellite images. Special forces and anti-terrorist organisation are already playing a big role in the hostage negotiations. It is believed 276 schoolgirls captive after 53 escaped the attack at their school in the town of Chibok, northern Nigeria on April 14. A deal between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram was said to be close to an agreement earlier this week. But the swap deal for 50 schoolgirls in exchange for 100 Boko Haram prisoners was blocked by President Jonathan.

British forces are looking at sending more troops to Western Nigeria to help deal with the situation. Troops will be able to assist and train Nigerian forces in their efforts to fight Boko Haram, whose name translates to "Western education is forbidden". Nigerian soldiers have complained of being ill-equipped, being given just 60 bullets and put on the frontline.

Reports say troops are keen to see more reinforcements located to the area to take on the Boko Haram, who are more skilled than the Nigerian military. Boko Haram have threatened to sell the girls as sex slaves and would take them to neighbouring Chad or Cameroon to avoid them being detected. A www.dailystar.co.uk extract.