Chibok Girls
Twenty-one of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents in April 2014 has been released to the Nigerian government.Reports state that the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants dropped them off earlier today. The release of the 21 girls comes as President Buhari began a three-day trip to Germany to discuss assistance for the rebuilding of the northeastern part of Nigeria ravaged by Boko Haram.
The Chibok girls were released as part of a prisoner swap deal struck between Boko Haram, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian and Swiss governments, said official and local sources.
“It is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok girls have been released and are in the custody of the department of state services,” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement.
“The Director-General, Malam LAWAL Daura just finished briefing the President H.E MUHAMMADU Buhari.”
“The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue.”
“The President welcomes the release of the girls but cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.”
“Malam LAWAL wants the girls to have some rest, with all of them very tired coming out of the process before he hands them over to the Vice President,Professor Yemi Osinbajo. The President takes off shortly on a trip to Germany for a state visit.
The names of the released girls follow shortly.”
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