Over 80 Chibok girls regain freedom

More than 80 of the about 276 Chibok schoolgirls abducted mid-April 2014, by Boko Haram insurgents, yesterday, regained freedom from their abductors, according to reports.

This release marks the biggest progress made in efforts aimed at rescuing the schoolgirls.

The girls, who were released in Banki Town, close to the Nigerian-Cameroonian border and awaiting airlift, were abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, as they prepared for their final examination.

Informed sources maintained that the release came after further negotiations between the Islamist group and the Federal Government.

Last October, after almost three years in captivity, 21 of the girls were released by the insurgents after negotiations between Boko Haram and the Federal Government. Two other girls were found separately, in addition to those who escaped on the night of their abduction. This brings to about 103 the number of girls so far released.

Before the latest release, Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, had hinted of completion of negotiation for release of more girls.

The abduction drew international attention to the armed group, while the government’s failure to act quickly to free the girls equally sparked a global Bring Back Our Girls movement.

Shortly after news of the release filtered out, Co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), and former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, called on the government to issue a statement on the matter.

The group in a statement endorsed by its spokesperson, Sesugh Akume, said it had high hopes about the news.

At the time of filing the report at about 10: 20pm last night, government was yet to confirm report.

Saharareporters.com, a news website, which reported the release, quoted a military source as saying that the captives regained freedom following a negotiation between the federal government and the sect.