TheCable

Israeli agents are now in Nigeria to join the search for hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram last month.

An unnamed Israeli official confirmed the development to Reuters news agency on Tuesday.

This will swell the rank of countries that have officials on ground in Nigeria to help rescue the teenagers whose whereabouts are still unknown.

The United States and United Kingdom have already sent experts and equipment to the country.

The Israeli team includes experts in dealing with hostage situations, Reuters quoted the official as saying.

“These are not operational troops, they’re there to advise,” he said.

The US military is flying manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft over Nigeria in the search.

The UK said its advisers will be embedded in the Nigerian military and has also sent a surveillance aircraft to the country.

Israel has defence ties with a number of African countries, and had sold surveillance drones to Nigeria.

Last September, Israel sent advisers to Kenya to help in a stand-off with Islamist attackers at a shopping mall in Nairobi.