10/05/2014 10:27
Nigeria abductions: Michelle Obama to deliver address
US First Lady Michelle Obama is to deliver her husband's weekly presidential address to condemn last month's abduction of Nigerian girls, the BBC reported.
First ladies normally refrain from outspoken foreign policy remarks, but Mrs Obama has been a vocal campaigner for the release of more than 200 girls.
Fifty-three of the girls escaped soon after being seized in Chibok on 14 April but many more remain captive.
Islamist militant group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nigeria's military had advance warning of the raid on Nigeria's north-eastern state but failed to act, Amnesty International claimed on Friday.
Nigeria's authorities say they "doubt the veracity" of the human rights group's claim.
Mrs Obama is due to make the address ahead of Mother's Day, which the United States marks on Sunday.
"As the mother of two young daughters, Mrs Obama is taking up the opportunity to express outrage and heartbreak the president and she share over the kidnapping," White House Deputy spokesman Eric Schultz said.
"The first lady hopes that the courage of these young girls serves as an inspiration... and a call to action for people around the world to fight to ensure that every girl receives the education that is their birthright", he added.