The presidency has explained that the 21 Chibok girls that were reportedly released on Thursday, are not a new set.
In a statement, Senior Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, stated that negotiations are ongoing to secure the release of more girls.
The statement said: “To my friends spreading the news of a further release of Chibok Girls, we are not there yet.
“The negotiations are ongoing and the Department of State Service, DSS is full of optimism that they will be successful.
“Today, the DSS took the 21 girls already secured to Yola, Adamawa State on their way home to celebrate the Christmas with their families.
“No new girls have been released but by God’s grace, they will be. Happy Christmas, everyone.”
More than 200 that were abducted from their school since April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram. 21 of them were released on October 13 in a deal brokered by the International Committee of Red Cross and the Swiss government.
At the time, the FG said it was negotiating for the freedom of 83 more girls.
“These 21 released girls are supposed to be talebearers to tell the Nigerian government that this faction of Boko Haram has 83 more Chibok girls,” Shehu said back then.
“The faction said it is ready to negotiate if the government is willing to sit down with them.”
