By Dipo Olowookere
The Presidency has confirmed the release of additional 82 girls from the 0ver 200 schoolgirls abducted in 2014 by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at Chibok town in Borno State.
A statement issued by Mr Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, disclosed that the 82 girls were released after “lengthy negotiations.”
According to him, President Buhari has received detailed briefings from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) at every stage of the negotiations/operation.
The statement said, “Our security agencies have taken back these girls, in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.”
The Presidency said the freed Chibok girls are due to arrive in Abuja on Sunday May 7, 2017 and would be received by the President.
“President Muhammadu Buhari expresses his deep gratitude to all who played a part in ensuring the success of this operation, as follows: Security agencies, the military, the Government of Switzerland, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and local and international NGOs.
“The President has repeatedly expressed his total commitment towards ensuring the safe return of the Chibok girls, and all other Boko Haram captives,” the statement said.
