US President, First Lady heartbroken over Nigeria abductions

"Like millions of people across the globe, my husband and I are outraged and heartbroken over the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian girls from their school dormitory in the middle of the night. This unconscionable act was committed by a terrorist group determined to keep these girls from getting an education – grown men attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls. And I want you to know that Barack has directed our government to do everything possible to support the Nigerian government’s efforts to find these girls and bring them home. In these girls, Barack and I see our own daughters. We see their hopes, their dreams – and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now," she said in a statement.

She said the incident is a 'story we see every day' as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions.

Michelle Obama said Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, who had survivied an attack by the Taliban,and girls like her  should serve as a call to action.

"It’s the story of girls like Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan. Malala spoke out for girls’ education in her community…and as a result, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while on a school bus with her classmates.

But fortunately Malala survived…and when I met her last year, I could feel her passion and determination as she told me that girls’ education is still her life’s mission. The courage and hope embodied by Malala and girls like her around the world should serve as a call to action," she said.

She said education is 'truly a girl’s best chance for a bright future, not just for herself, but for her family and her nation'.

Michelle Obama said: "And that’s true right here in the U.S. as well…so I hope the story of these Nigerian girls will serve as an inspiration for every girl – and boy – in this country."

Militant group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for kidnapping of the girls.

Image: Wikimedia Commons