Update 12:40
The US has vowed to do all it can in order to rescue more than 200 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls that have been missing for more than four weeks.
Closer to home, a protest is being held outside the Nigerian Embassy in Dublin today, with protesters calling for the safe return of the missing girls.
Reports yesterday stated that eight more girls aged between 12 and 15 were kidnapped by the armed gunmen who opened fire.
On April 4th, militants from the Islamist group Boko Haram seized at least 276 youngsters from a school in the village of Chibok, in Borno state, in northern Nigeria.
Rally shows anger growing over the situation
The US has announced that it will be sending specially trained personnel to deal in negotiations with Boko Haram in order to free the girls.
Barack Obama described the situation as "heartbreaking" and "outrageous", stating that the kidnapping could be "the event that helps to mobilise the entire international community to finally do something against this horrendous organisation".
"We're going to do everything we can to provide assistance to them," he said.
"In the short term our goal is obviously to help the international community, and the Nigerian government, as a team to do everything we can to recover these young ladies."
In a video released on Monday, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau threatened to sell the girls "on the market".
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau appears in the threatening video
However, there are reports some of the girls have been sold in Chad and Cameroon already as brides for as little as €8.50.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague has condemned the actions of the Islamist group and insists that Britain is offering reasonable help.
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan is being criticised for his handling of the incident and his speed at which there has been a response.
Campaigner Fatima Zanna Gana insists Nigerian officials aren't listening:British Foreign Secretary William Hague has condemned the actions of the Islamist group and insists that Britain is offering reasonable help.
William Hague says it's shocking:
