Nigerian government has reached an agreement with Boko Haram by which more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in the north of the country in April will be released. The agreement was announced by the Nigerian Minister of Defense and also involves a ceasefire between Nigeria’s military and Boko Haram.
Secret meetings held between the authorities in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, and representatives of the al-Qaeda-linked militia have led to a temporary agreement to lay down arms.
Mike Omeri, anti-terrorism spokesman of the president’s national information centre, said that the deal also includes “the need to rescue all the captives of the terrorists, including the students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok”.
There would also be an immediate ceasefire, with Boko Haram who announced it would suspend its bombing and kidnap campaign, and the Nigerian army agreeing not to target suspected militant camps.
Omeri added that Boko Haram militants showed their willingness to discuss and resolve all issues. They also assured that all the schoolgirls and all other captives are safe and alive.
The announcement came days after protesters marched in Abuja to mark the six-month anniversary of the girl’s abduction. More than 300 teenage girls were kidnapped by the militant group as they were taken back to their school after an excursion.
Over fifty managed to escape, but the rest are still being held captive.
