Islamist Boko Haram insurgents have released twenty-one of the more than 200 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by in April 2014 to the Nigerian government.
According to reports, the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants dropped them off earlier today.
The Federal Government has recently expressed its desire to negotiate the release of the abducted schoolgirls.
The girls were last seen in a video posted by the jihadist group in August, featuring its new leader appointed by Islamic State, Abu Musab al-Barnawi.
Until now only one girl had been rescued.
Boko Haram has given conditions including the release of its detained fighters in exchange for the schoolgirls. It is yet to be known if there was any exchange of sort.
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.
A top military source who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity said a major activity was taking place at Banki, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“I can confirm to you that there is a major activity going on in the Banki axis. For now, that is what I can tell you,” the source said.
The presidency on Thursday confirmed the release of 21 Chibok girls hitherto in the custody of their abductors, Boko Haram.
The girls were among the 219 students stolen from their dormitory bed in Chibok community, Borno State on April 14, 2014.
One of them, Amina was found earlier this year by a vigilante group with her suspected militant husband and her new baby, after they escaped from their abductors’ grip and was received by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In a statement, the senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed the release of the 21 girls as he stated that the head of Department of State Services, DSS, Mallam Lawal Daura had briefed the president.
Shehu said that the girls who are currently in the custody of the DSS would soon be received by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“It is confirmed that 21 of the missing Chibok Girls have been released and are in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
“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 Daura 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”, Shehu said.
