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Chibok schoolgirls: Group 'freed' in Nigeria Chibok schoolgirls: Group freed in Nigeria
(35 minutes later)
Twenty-one of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram have been freed, a senior Nigerian government official has told the BBC. Twenty-one of the schoolgirls kidnapped in 2014 by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria, have been freed, the president's spokesman has confirmed.
The official wanted to remain anonymous and the government has not issued a statement. Garba Shehu said the release was "the outcome of negotiations between the administration and Islamist militants".
Previous reports of the girls' release have turned out to be wrong. The freed students are currently with the security forces.
The Islamist militant group kidnapped more than 270 students from a school in Chibok in April 2014 - an act that provoked international condemnation. Boko Haram kidnapped more than 270 students from a school in Chibok, north-east Nigeria - an act that provoked international condemnation.
It also sparked one of the biggest global social media campaigns, with tweeters using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.It also sparked one of the biggest global social media campaigns, with tweeters using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Nigeria says the government official did not say how the kidnapped students had been rescued. Up to now there had only been one confirmed release of a student kidnapped from Chibok.
But the military is currently carrying out a large-scale operation in the Sambisa forest, which is a Boko Haram stronghold. In May, a 19-year-old woman was found by an army-backed vigilante group.
There has only been one confirmed release of a student kidnapped from Chibok more than two years ago. After that it was believed that 218 students were still missing. More than 50 managed to escape on the day they were captured.
In May, a 19-year-old woman was found carrying by an army-backed vigilante group.
After that it was believed that 218 students were still missing - more than 50 managed to escape on the day they were captured.
Boko Haram has also kidnapped thousands of other people during its seven-year insurgency in north-east Nigeria.Boko Haram has also kidnapped thousands of other people during its seven-year insurgency in north-east Nigeria.
Boko Haram at a glance: