Boko Haram releases 82 more Chibok girls (Updated)

There are reports that the Boko Haram Islamic terror group has released more of the Chibok girls abducted in 2014 from their secondary school in Chibok, Borno State.

While the number of girls released is yet to be confirmed, reports say they may be as much as 80.

The girls, close to 300, were abducted in April of 2014 from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok where they were writing the WAEC examination.

A few of them have over the years managed to escape the terrorist group while 22 of them were released in October last year after negotiations between the group and the federal government.

Read also: Concerned Nigerians give Buhari 14 days to resign or risk massive protest

The latest release is said to also have been as a result of concluded negotiations between both parties, details of which are yet to be made public.

Senator representing Kaduna central, Shehu Sani, while reacting to the reports, said, “The Only authority to confirm the release of the Chibok girls is the Federal government. However, credible negotiations took place”, he added

Senior Special Assistant to the President
Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, later confirmed that the release of 82 of the girls is a result of negotiations with the terrorist group.

He said in a statement, that the girls were set free in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.

“The released Chibok girls are due to arrive in Abuja tomorrow Sunday May 7, and will be received by the President.

“President Muhammadu Buhari expresses his deep gratitude to all who played a part in ensuring the success of this operation, as follows: Security agencies, the military, the Government of Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local and international NGOs.

“The President has received detailed briefings from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) at every stage of the negotiations/operation”, he stated.

 

 

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