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After almost six months, the chibok girls are hopeful that they'll be home soon. The Nigerian military has agreed to a ceasefire with the militants and also secured the release of the girls.
Extract:
Nigeria's chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh,
announced the truce. Boko Haram has not made a
public statement.
The group has been fighting an insurgency since
2009, with some 2,000 civilians reportedly killed this
year.
Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago
by abducting more than 200 schoolgirls.
The girls were seized in the north-eastern town of
Chibok in Borno state, and their continued captivity
has led to criticism of the Nigerian government's
efforts to secure their release.
Members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign said
in a tweet on Friday: "We are monitoring the news
with huge expectations."
'Cautiously optimistic'
Air Chief Marshal Badeh revealed the truce at the close
of a three-day security meeting between Nigeria and
Cameroon. He said Nigerian soldiers would comply
with the agreement.
Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told BBC
Focus on Africa that the agreement was sealed after a
month of negotiations, mediated by Chad.
As part of the talks, a government delegation twice
met representatives of the Islamist group.
Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a
unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government
had responded.
"They've assured us they have the girls and they will
release them," he said.
"I am cautiously optimistic."
He said arrangements for their release would be
finalised at another meeting next week in Chad's
capital, Ndjamena.
The negotiations are said to have the blessing of Boko
Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, reports the BBC's
Chris Ewokor in Abuja.
Speaking to the BBC, Nigerian government spokesman
Mike Omeri said Boko Haram would not be given
territory under the ceasefire agreement - and that the
government would not reveal what concessions it
would make.
"We are inching closer to release of all groups in
captivity, including the Chibok girls," he said.
Analysis: Will Ross, BBC News, Lagos
Nigerian officials had not given any indication that
negotiations with Boko Haram were taking place.
Even though there had been rumours of talks in
neighbouring Chad, this is a very surprising
development.
Many Nigerians are extremely sceptical about the
announcement especially as there has been no
definitive word from the jihadists.
The military has in the past released statements
about the conflict in north-east Nigeria that have
turned out to be completely at odds with the situation
on the ground.
So many here will only celebrate when the violence
stops and the hostages are free.
In May 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a
state of emergency in the northern states of Borno, Yobe
and Adamawa, vowing to crush the Islamist
insurgency.
But Boko Haram increased its attacks this year.
The group promotes a version of Islam which makes it
"haram", or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in
any political or social activity associated with
Western society.
It frequently attacks schools and colleges, which it
sees as a symbol of Western culture.
Who are Boko Haram?
Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau is the most
wanted man in Nigeria
Founded in 2002
Initially focused on opposing Western education -
Boko Haram means "Western education is
forbidden" in the Hausa language
Launched military operations in 2009 to create
Islamic state
Thousands killed, mostly in north-eastern
Nigeria - also attacked police and UN
headquarters in capital, Abuja
Some three million people affected
Declared terrorist group by US in 2013
Who are Boko Haram?
Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau
Human Rights Watch has reported that 2,053 civilian
were killed in the first half of the year, while Amnesty
International estimated that 4,000 people were killed
in violence - including Nigerian military operations -
in the first seven months of 2014.
Boko Haram is seeking to establish an Islamist state
in Nigeria, but its fighters often cross the long and
porous border with Cameroon.
Eight Cameroon soldiers and more than 100 Boko
Haram militants were killed in fighting in the far
north of Cameroon on Friday, Reuters quoted the
country's defence ministry as saying.
In July, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed
to form a 2,800-strong regional force to tackle Boko
Haram militants.
Credit :BBC
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