Wednesday's gathering in Abuja is to protest the recent abduction of 200 school girls by militants.

One million women, all dressed in red, are today, Wednesday April 30, 2014, expected to stage a protest march in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, aimed at pressurising the Federal government to take urgent action to secure the release of over 200 female students abducted two weeks ago.

The girls, from Government Secondary School, Chibok, in the northeastern Borno State, were kidnapped from school by Boko Haram insurgents. The Punch newspaper said the plan was disclosed by Prof. Hauwa Biu on Sunday, April 27, 2014 after an emergency meeting convened by the Borno State Governor’s wife, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima. The meeting was aimed at seeking the way forward for the release of the girls.

Meanwhile, news reports yesterday said some of the girls had been taken to neighbouring countries. It was also understood that the army had already located and surrounded locations where the remaining students are thought to be held inside Sambisa Forest.

Prof. Biu last week led a coalition of Borno women to a press conference where they revealed their plan to go into the Sambisa Forest - the stronghold of the Boko Haram insurgents where the girls are believed to be held - to effect their release. But she later announced a change in plans. According to her, today’s march tagged, “Free Our Girls!” will involve women from all over the country.

“Let us all put our differences aside, irrespective of our faith and ethnic belonging. Let us all join hands together to rescue these girls. I know that we can do it. Almighty Allah is with us, He knows our intention. I am sure we are not on our own. I am happy to inform you that the wife of the President called me two days ago. I believe that she is also with us. Let us all join hands together irrespective of political affiliations,” The National Mirror cited her as appealing.