Latest news on the 21 Chibok Girls Swapped for 4 Boko Haram Detainees

 

...It was as a result of intervention of the Red Cross, Swiss govt- Presidency
21 Chibok girls that were abducted by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group have been released in exchanged for four detained terrorists .
According to reports, the girls were released in the early hours of Thursday, October 13.
More than 200 girls were abducted from their schools in Borno state in 2014 by the terrorists and while some of them have reportedly died, the rest have been held by the dreaded group.

Sources disclosed that the girls were picked up by military helicopter from Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants dropped them off earlier today.

According to BBC News reporter, Stephanie Hegarty, the 21 girls might have been released in exchange for the freedom of 4 Boko Haram prisoners.

“21 Chibok girls may have been swapped for 4 Boko Haram detainees,” Hegarty said citing a military source via Twitter.

 

Meanwhile the story of their release  of the girls’ released has been confirmed by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu.

“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,” Shehu said via Twitter.

He further disclosed that the release was as a result of the intervention of the Red Cross and the Swiss government.
“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,” a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Shehu, said.

His words; “The Director-General, Malam Lawal Daura just finished briefing President 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 follows shortly”.

In a swift reaction, the leader of the BBOG group and former Nigerian Minister and former Vice President of the World Bank for Africa, Obiageli Ezekwesili said,

“I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions. Lord, some of our girls are back!!!”

 

Boko Haram had, in August, demanded that the government free of some of its members in exchange for the girls’ release.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly admitted to negotiating with the sect but said that it wanted to tread with caution to ensure it was dialoguing with genuine members of the group
Although it was reported that not fewer than 287 secondary school girls were abducted in 2014 but some are of the opinion that the figure was exaggerated for political reasons.