The Nigerian Government announced late Saturday that it had secured the release of 82 captured Chibok girls after lengthy negotiations with Boko Haram terrorist. The announcement was made via the twitter handle of the Presidency.
President @MBuhari is pleased to announce that negotiations to release more of the #ChibokGirls have yielded results.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 6, 2017
Today, 82 more #ChibokGirls were released.
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 6, 2017
Here is what we know so far
A total of 82 ChibokGirls were released (social media accounts say it ranges between 50 and 62 girls that were released.
Release was secured after lengthy negotiations with the Federal Government
- Reuters quotes a military source of saying that the girls were currently in Banki near the Cameroon border for medical checks before being airlifted to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.
The girls are now in the custody of Nigerian security agencies
The Chibok girls were exchanged for some Boko Haram suspects held by the Government.
The released ChibokGirls are due to arrive in Abuja on Sunday May 7, and will be received by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The security agencies that played a part in securing the release are as follows; the military, the Government of Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local and international NGOs.
Last October, the government secured the release of more than 20 girls in a deal brokered by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
- Some of the freed Chibok girls either have escaped or were rescued
- More than 100 more girls are still in captivity.
Response to the release
82 Chibok girls held since 2014 freed after negotiations between Boko Haram and government, Nigerian official says. https://t.co/NNcRCmZsLJ
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) May 6, 2017
You CAN'T imagine how HARD my heart is beating right now as I furiously PRAY that this news of release of 80 of OUR #ChibokGirls is true.🙏🙏🙏
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 6, 2017
🎷🎺🎷💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾
It is REAL!
It is a FACT!!
Another set of OUR # ChibokGirls ARE BACK, folks!
WE REJOICE & PRAISE GOD with their Parents! FG,👏🏿👏🏿— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) May 6, 2017
Abducted: 276
Escaped: 57
Found: 3
Released: 103
Still missing: 113#BringBackOurGirls
— 'Gbénga Ṣẹ̀san (@gbengasesan) May 6, 2017
Reports say 80+ #chibokgirls released. If true, it's long overdue good news – but we won't rest until all are free https://t.co/AtdDwZCnno
— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) May 6, 2017
