Buhari Meets 21 Chibok Girls Released By Boko Haram

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari will meet the 21 Chibok girls that were freed on October 13 and their families at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, Presidency Office of Digital Engagement said.

Buhari left for Germany last Thursday, a few hours after the girls were released. But they were received on his behalf  by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo later on that day.

The girls were part of more than 200 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls held since April 14, 2014, by Boko Haram.

The presidency said in a statement that the girls were released after negotiations between Boko Haram, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Nigerian and Swiss governments.

The statement added that negotiations were ongoing, raising the prospect of more releases.

“These 21 released girls are supposed to be talebearers to tell the Nigerian government that this faction of Boko Haram has 83 more Chibok girls,” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, told Reuters.

“The faction said it is ready to negotiate if the government is willing to sit down with them,” said Shehu, adding that the state is prepared to negotiate with the branch of Boko Haram.”