Updated

An adviser says Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan met through the night with security, school and state officials and has issued a new directive that "everything must be done" to free the 276 girls kidnapped by Islamic extremists.

Presidential adviser Reuben Abati told reporters the meeting went into the early hours of Sunday and for the first time brought together all stakeholders. It included security service chiefs, officials from the affected Borno state and Chibok town and the principal of the school where the victims were kidnapped.

Abati said the president "has given a very clear directive that everything must be done to ensure that this girl must be brought back to safety."

Nigeria's government and military have been deeply embarrassed by the failure to rescue the girls abducted April 15.