The Federal Government of Nigeria has countered speculations surrounding the release of 21 of the abducted Chibok girls by Islamist-Jihadist sect, Boko Haram.
Speaking on the release, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Thursday said that the release of the 21 Chibok girls was not an exchange.
Lai Mohammed at a conference in Abuja said: “We can confirm that 21 Chibok schoolgirls were release at 5:30am today, and flown to Kaduna. We expect them to arrive in Abuja soon. We have the names of the girls and we are now contacting their parents. As soon as that is done, we will release their names.”
He further added that the released girls would be in Abuja by Thursday afternoon where a team of medical doctors, social workers and psychologists are on ground to examine them.
He added: “Please note that this is not a swap, but a release.
“The release of these girls does not mean an end to military operations, but it is a new phase in the war against insurgency.”
He also noted that the release of the 21 Chibok girls was in line with the confidence being built between both parties adding that the President will do all within his capacity to secure the release of other girls in captivity.
He noted: “Mr President has made it clear that whatever he can do to bring the insurgency under control he will do it.”