Nigeria kidnapped schoolgirls: Michelle Obama condemns abduction in Mother's Day presidential address

     

The American First Lady Michelle Obama has condemned the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria as an "unconscionable act" led by a group of men "attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls".

Taking over the President's weekly radio address ahead of Mother's Day in the US, the First Lady said she and Mr Obama are "outraged and heartbroken" over the kidnapping of more than 250 Nigerian schoolgirls taken from their dormitories in the town of Chibok.

"In these girls, Barack and I see our own daughters," Mrs Obama said, referring to Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12. "We see their hopes, their dreams and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now."

Mrs Obama praised the girls and their determination to continue their education, build careers of their own and make their families and community proud knowing full well their lives could be in danger.