FULL LIST: Names of 21 Chibok girls Boko Haram released to Nigeria
The Nigerian government, Thursday, successfully negotiated freedom for 21 of the over 200 schoolgirls Boko Haram kidnapped two years ago.
Some of the girls couldn’t contain their emotion as they were hugged by government officials who promised to help them make meaning of their lives.
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Information and culture minister Lai Mohammed said detained Boko Haram terrorists were not swapped as part of the negotiations.
Here are the names of the Chibok girls that were release on Thursday morning.
See full list below:
- Mary Usman Bulama
- Jumai John
- Blessing Abana
- Luggwa Sanda
- Comfort Habila
- Maryam Basheer
- Comfort Amos
- Glory Mainta
- Saratu Emmanuel
- Deborah Ja’afaru
- Rahab Ibrahim
- Helin Musa
- Maryamu Lawan
- Rebecca Ibrahim
- Asabe Goni
- Deborah Andrawus
- Agnes Gapani
- Saratu Markus
- Glory Dama
- Pindah Nuhu
- Rebecca Mallam
“The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government,” presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu said.
“The negotiations will continue,” he said.
Presidential media aide Tolu Ogunlesi debunked reports that some of the girls were nursing mothers.
In pictures: 21 Chibok girls regain freedom
News of the Chibok girls release came as President Muhammadu Buhari prepared to fly to Germany for a state visit.
He said the development is the result of his administration’s hard work regarding security. “We are getting security right,” he said.
“We are stopping corruption in its tracks and we will get the economy right by the Grace of God.”