News / Thoughts

Chibok girls to be released!

Good news! The abducted schoolgirls from Chibok are reportedly to be released after a truce was agreed between the Nigerian government and the militant Islamist group Boko Haram.

“They’ve assured us they have the girls and they will release them,” Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told the BBC. “I am cautiously optimistic.”

The arrangements for the release of the girls, who were taken over 6 months ago, will be finalised at a meeting this week in Chad’s capital, Ndjamena, he said.

Ceasefire agreed

This agreement is part of a ceasefire that was agreed on Thursday after a month of negotiations, mediated by Chad.

Air Marshal Alex Badeh, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, said: “A ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (Boko Haram).”

“I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.”

The BBC reports that the negotiations are said to have the blessing of Abubakar Shekau, the leader Boko Haram leader, although the group had not released a statement at the time of writing.

Source: BBC; the Telegraph

Please Pray…

• Praise God that after 6 months we are seeing signs that the girls may soon be released
• That this truce will be more than words, and that the girls will indeed be free
• For wisdom for those negotiating with Boko Haram
• That this truce will lead to a lasting peace in Nigeria and the wider region.