CGTN America
A screen grab taken on May 12, 2014, from a video of Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram obtained by AFP shows girls, wearing the full-length hijab and praying in an undisclosed rural location. Boko Haram released a new video on claiming to show the missing Nigerian schoolgirls, alleging they had converted to Islam and would not be released until all militant prisoners were freed. A total of 276 girls were abducted on April 14 from the northeastern town of Chibok, in Borno state, which has a sizeable Christian community. Some 223 are still missing. Nigeria’s military and presidency claimed on October 17, 2014 to have reached a deal with Boko Haram militants on a ceasefire and the release of more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls. AFP PHOTO / BOKO HARAM
The Nigerian government has reached agreement with the rebel group Boko Haram. An immediate cease-fire has been announced. The government also said over 200 kidnapped schoolgirls could be released as early as next week. CCTV America’s Deji Badmus reports.
Though the government is not disclosing details of its ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, local media is awash with reports the Chibok girls will soon be released. Not surprisingly, people want the government to reveal more.
Boko Haram had always demanded a prisoner swap deal for the Chibok girls, which the Nigerian government had always rejected. It’s not known if the government changed its mind.
Military authorities have already asked field commanders to observe the ceasefire. While many welcome the truce, they still doubt the sincerity of Boko Haram to keep its own side of the bargain.
