Nigeria says 21 abducted girls freed after rebel talks

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – Twenty-one of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted in April 2014 by Boko Haram have been freed, the Nigerian government confirmed on Thursday.

Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said the 21 girls were released after negotiations with their captors.

"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," a government statement read.

The #BringBackOurGirls movement which has campaigned for the government to step up efforts for the captives' release said it was treating the information with cautious optimism, adding: "This will be extremely happy news if true."

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari recently said he was all for a quick release of the girls, including entering into negotiations with their abductors. He had invited the United Nations to consider mediating for the girls' freedom.

The girls were taken from their dormitory on 14 April 2014 by Boko Haram militants. Abubakar Shekau, now a leader of a splinter group within the insurgency, repeatedly said he would free the girls only in exchange for his fighters locked in various government prisons, among other conditions.