82 Nigeria schoolgirls rescued after 3 yrs

International Desk: Eighty-two Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped three years ago by Boko Haram extremists in northern Nigeria have been released into military custody, authorities say.

The girls were released in exchange for members of the militant group held by authorities, the Nigerian presidency said on Saturday (Sunday NZT). Earlier reports said up to 50 girls had been freed.

Family members said they were eagerly awaiting a list of names and "our hopes and expectations are high".

Before the announcement, 195 of the schoolgirls had remained captive after the first negotiated release of 21 girls in October. At the time, Nigeria's government said another group of 83 girls would be released "very soon".

"Huge numbers," the personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, tweeted late on Saturday (Sunday NZT).

A Nigerian military official with direct knowledge of the rescue operation said the 83 freed girls were found near the town of Banki in Borno state near Cameroon.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Dhaka/May 07, 2017/A K Azad