Boko Haram To Release Chibok Girls On Monday

Nigeria's military says it has agreed a ceasefire with
Islamist militants Boko Haram - and that the schoolgirls
the group has abducted will be released.
Nigeria's chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announced the
truce. Boko Haram has not made a public statement.
The group has been fighting an insurgency since 2009, with
some 2,000 civilians reportedly killed this year.
Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago by
abducting more than 200 schoolgirls.
The girls were seized in the north-eastern town of Chibok in
Borno state, and their continued captivity has led to criticism
of the Nigerian government's efforts to secure their release.
Members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign said in a
tweet on Friday: "We are monitoring the news with huge
expectations."
'Cautiously optimistic'
Air Chief Marshal Badeh revealed the truce at the close of a
three-day security meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon.
He said Nigerian soldiers would comply with the agreement.
Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur said that the agreement was sealed after a month of
negotiations, mediated by Chad.
As part of the talks, a government delegation twice met
representatives of the Islamist group.
Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a unilateral
ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded.
"They've assured us they have the girls and they will release
them," he said. "I am cautiously optimistic."
He said arrangements for their release would be finalised at
another meeting next week in Chad's capital, Ndjamena.
The negotiations are said to have the blessing of Boko
Haram leader Abubakar Shekau..
Speaking online, Nigerian government spokesman Mike
Omeri said Boko Haram would not be given territory under
the ceasefire agreement - and that the government would
not reveal what concessions it would make.
"We are inching closer to release of all groups in captivity,
including the Chibok girls," he said.

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