Nigeria failed to act on school-raid warning, Amnesty says

ABUJA, Nigeria -- Nigerian security forces failed to act on an advance warning about a raid on a school by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram that led to the abduction of more than 200 girls last month, Amnesty International said.

Nigeria's military base in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, became aware of the imminent attack by Boko Haram on the town of Chibok at just after 7 p.m. on April 14, Amnesty said yesterday in a statement, citing "credible sources."

By midnight, the attack was underway. Military spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade didn't answer calls seeking comment.

The abduction, which came on the same day as the worst-ever bomb attack on the capital, Abuja, has sparked international protests and criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan's response.

"The fact that Nigerian security forces knew about Boko Haram's impending raid, but failed to take the immediate action needed to stop it, will only amplify the national and international outcry at this horrific crime," said Netsanet Belay, London-based Amnesty International's Africa director for research and advocacy.

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, has claimed responsibility for the April 14 abduction of 276 girls from their dormitories in Chibok in the northeast.

His threat to sell the girls in "markets" and marry them off has galvanized a global campaign to free them. It has been joined by U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, who plans to speak about the abduction today as she delivers President Barack Obama's weekly radio and Internet address.

British and U.S. teams arrived in Abuja yesterday to help Nigerian authorities search for the girls.

Boko Haram in the past few years has increasingly targeted teachers and students, and more than 50 schools were attacked, partially destroyed or burned down between July last year and January in Borno state, according to the United Nations Children's Fund.