Photograph: Ade Omoloja
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan discussing with British Prime Minister - David Cameron at 10 Downing Street London.
In a telephone conversation today between British Prime Minister - David Cameron and Nigeria's President Gooduck Jonathan, Britain has promised to deploy its intelligence gathering resources in support of Nigeria’s security agencies currently engaged in the search and rescue operation of the girls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.
According to a statement issued by Jonathan's Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) - Dr Reuben Abati, Jonathan asked for and received a promise of the deployment of British Satellite Imaging capabilities and other advanced tracking technologies in support of the ongoing effort.
According to Abati, "The President thanked Mr. Cameron, the British Government and people for their concern over the fate of the abducted girls and their willingness to provide concrete assistance to save the girls from the terrorists who seized them from their school.
"He told the Prime Minister that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will liaise with the British Government through its High Commission in Nigeria to work out practical details of the promised support and collaboration against terrorism."
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that: "The Prime Minister spoke to President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria this afternoon about the abduction of over 200 girls in northern Nigeria. The Prime Minister expressed his shock at the appalling attack and wholehearted support for the Nigerian people during this difficult time. He reiterated the UK’s offer of assistance and advice to the Nigerian authorities.
"President Jonathan accepted the Prime Minister’s offer to send a small team of experts drawn from across Whitehall who could complement the US team committed by President Obama. Both leaders also agreed that their respective governments should explore how to further strengthen co-operation on counter-terrorism in the longer term to prevent such attacks in the future. The Prime Minister and President agreed on the importance of the international community working together to meet the challenge posed by Islamic extremism and violence."
Jonathan also met with Premier Li Keqiang of China who is on an official visit to Nigeria, and "The Peoples’ Republic of China has also offered to assist in the effort to rescue the abducted girls."
Li Keqiang promised that his country will make any useful information acquired by its satellites and intelligence services available to Nigeria’s security agencies, assuring that China will support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism in every possible way, including the training of military personnel for anti-insurgency operations.