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Chibok schoolgirls: Nigeria's Boko Haram frees 21 Chibok schoolgirls 'swapped' for Nigerian Boko Haram militants
(about 2 hours later)
Twenty-one of the schoolgirls kidnapped in 2014 by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria, have been freed, the president's spokesman has confirmed.Twenty-one of the schoolgirls kidnapped in 2014 by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria, have been freed, the president's spokesman has confirmed.
Garba Shehu said the release was "the outcome of negotiations between the administration and Islamist militants".Garba Shehu said the release was "the outcome of negotiations between the administration and Islamist militants".
The freed students are currently with the security forces. Four imprisoned militants were reportedly freed in exchange.
Boko Haram seized more than 270 students from a school in Chibok, north-east Nigeria - an act that provoked international condemnation.Boko Haram seized 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 sparked one of the biggest global social media campaigns, with tweeters using the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.
President Muhammadu Buhari's spokesman said on Twitter that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government had acted as mediators in the talks with Boko Haram.President Muhammadu Buhari's spokesman said on Twitter that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government had acted as mediators in the talks with Boko Haram.
Mr Shehu added that negotiations were continuing.Mr Shehu added that negotiations were continuing.
The students were released in exchange for four militants, the AFP news agency reports, quoting local sources. How the schoolgirls were freed - Martin Patience, BBC Nigeria reporter
It adds that the 21 schoolgirls were driven to a military base in ICRC vehicles, and the militants were also transported by the ICRC. A security official has told the BBC that the girls were released in exchange for prisoners.
According to the source, several top-level Boko Haram detainees were taken to a meeting point close to the Cameroon border.
Under the supervision of the ICRC, the girls were then released and the militants were handed over.
The students were then transported to the city of Maiduguri and placed under the supervision of the security forces.
According to the security official, most of the young women have babies.
Just last month the Nigerian government announced that several round of talks with Boko Haram had broken down, but with today's release they have shown that those kidnapped can be released through intermediaries.
"I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions," Obiageli Ezekwesili, one of the leaders of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, has tweeted in response to the news."I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions," Obiageli Ezekwesili, one of the leaders of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, has tweeted in response to the news.
The president has also tweeted a reaction saying that he welcomed the release "following successful negotiations". The president also tweeted that he welcomed the release "following successful negotiations".
Up to now there had only been one confirmed release of a student kidnapped from Chibok.Up to now there had only been one confirmed release of a student kidnapped from Chibok.
In May, a 19-year-old woman was found by an army-backed vigilante group.In May, a 19-year-old woman was found 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.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.
More than 30,000 others have been killed, the government says, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee from their homes.More than 30,000 others have been killed, the government says, and hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee from their homes.
Boko Haram at a glance:Boko Haram at a glance: