Nigerian troops To Launch Rescue Mission For Schoolgirls..

 Four battalions of troops, fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships reported to be preparing for assault to free 223 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram..

The Nigerian troops have been reported to be massing in a forest in the north of the country in preparation for an assault to free hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped by a militant Islamist group/sect.

Nigerian authorities on Friday raised their estimate of the number of girls still being held captive to 223, with 53 others said to have managed to flee from the Sambisa forest where the militants took  them.

They were taking exams at a school in the town of Chibok when it was attacked by the sect.

Local newspapers said four battalions of troops were now stationed at the north, south, east and west corners of the forest, backed up by fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships and police surveillance helicopters.

Large medical team with mobile clinics and air ambulances had also been sent to the area amid fears of casualties if and when an assault was launched.

SOURCE: Telegraph.co.uk