President Muhammadu Buhari has described the abduction of schoolgirls from the Government Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe, as a national disaster.
Buhari also apologised to Nigerians over the incident.
The president said this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday.
Buhari assured the families of the victims that no effort would be spared to bring succour to them.
“When I received the devastating news of the attack on the school and the fact that the local authorities could not account for all the students, I immediately dispatched a high-level delegation on a fact-finding visit to the town.
“I also instructed the security agencies to deploy in full and not spare any effort to ensure that all the girls are returned safely, and the attackers arrested and made to face justice.
“The entire country stands as one with the girls’ families, the government and the people of Yobe State.
“This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened and share your pain,’’ he said.
Buhari expressed optimism that the armed forces would locate and safely return the missing girls to their respective families.
He revealed that more troops and surveillance aircraft were being deployed to the affected area to hasten the rescue of the girls.
“Our government is sending more troops and surveillance aircraft to keep an eye on all movements in the entire territory on a 24-hour basis, in the hope that all the missing girls will be found,’’ the president said.