Nigerian government vows to rescue 190 abducted girls

Abuja, April 25 (IANS) The Nigerian government Friday pledged to do everything it can to rescue 190 girls abducted from their school last week.

The government decision came following a crisis meet participated by security chiefs, ministers, state governors, and religious leaders to discuss growing insecurity in the country.

The abduction, a governor said, was the "issue of the moment" and the government and army were doing everything they could to rescue them, BBC reported.

The government has faced a lot of criticism for its muted response after gunmen abducted some 230 girls from a school in Borno state last week. About 40 girls, however, managed to escape.

The students, due to appear in their final year exam, are mostly aged 16-18.

Though no group claimed responsibility for kidnapping, Islamist group Boko Haram has been widely blamed.