Washington, May 7 (RHC)-- The United States has pledged to aid Nigeria’s search for nearly 300 missing schoolgirls just as militants have carried out a new kidnapping.

According to reports from Washington, the Barack Obama administration will send a team of experts including military officers to help the Nigerian government track down the girls, who were kidnapped from their hostel last month.

The announcement of U.S. assistance came as suspected Boko Haram militants carried out a new kidnapping, seizing eight girls in an overnight raid. The girls are between the ages of 12 and 15.

In the Nigerian capital of Abuja, protests continued Tuesday against what critics call the government’s lackluster response.

The Boko Horam has threatened to sell off the kidnapped girls into slavery. Around the world, rallies have been held in solidarity with the "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign in Nigeria.

Activists protested the deal outside the Filipino army headquarters. One of the organizers of the protests said that U.S. forces can use Philippine facilities, rent free, tax free -- "turning the whole place into a military base." She noted that even private defense contractors are given tax perks.