DHAKA: The United States has deployed a drone and 80 troops to Chad to help with regional efforts to rescue more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in neighbouring Nigeria.

Officials said on Wednesday, The Times of India publishes this report on Thursday.

‘These personnel will support the operation of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft for missions over northern Nigeria and the surrounding area,’ US president Barack Obama said in a letter to Congress.

‘The force will remain in Chad until its support in resolving the kidnapping situation is no longer required,’ he said, without mentioning the type of aircraft deployed.

A US defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told media the troops will oversee at least one unarmed surveillance drone to try to track those who kidnapped the Nigerian schoolgirls.

Last month, Islamist militants from the Boko Haram extremist group seized more than 200 Nigerian girls from school dormitories in the northeastern community of Chibok, near border with Chad.

Nigerian and international authorities were slow to react but, after concerned citizens launched social media campaign and the group threatened to sell the girls into slavery, offers of help have multiplied.

Meanwhile, the violence has continued, with attacks on villages attributed to Boko Haram leaving scores dead and a bomb attack on the Nigerian city of Jos killing at least 118 people Tuesday.

BDST: 1615 HRS, MAY 22, 2014