Local

Orlando group rallies to raise awareness of kidnapped Nigerian girls

ORLANDO, Fla. — Supporters rallied at City Hall in Orlando Saturday to raise awareness for the almost 300 kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria.

The girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram extremists in April.

This week, a Nigerian military official claimed he knows the whereabouts of the girls and vowed to "do everything possible to bring our daughters home."

Supporters at the rally said they believe raising awareness on the issue will help bring back the girls.

“We just really need to keep raising awareness and educating people on the issues,” said Krystal Pherai with the Peace and Justice Initiative.

Nigerian officials said some of the girls have escaped from Boko Haram, but the number is unknown.