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Abducted Chibok girls ‘may be released after Boko Haram truce’

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A Boko Haram video showing the girls soon after their adbuction

A truce has reportedly been agreed between Boko Haram and the government of Nigeria that may see the abducted girls of Chibok being released.

Nigerian听chief of defence staff Alex Badeh announced the truce and members of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign tweeted: 鈥淲e are monitoring the news with huge expectations.鈥 But there has been no statement from Boko Haram.

The 219 schoolgirls have been held captive for since they were taken at gunpoint from their school in northeast Nigeria. Their kidnapping听prompted the global #BringBackOurGirls campaign, supported by A World at School.

The campaign saw a global outcry by young people, faith leaders, NGOs and the United Nations, including the . It prompted the development of the by the government of Nigeria in collaboration with the and A World at School.

Mr Brown, who has visited Nigeria and worked for the release of the girls, said: 鈥淲e remain desperately concerned about the Chibok girls who, after six months of captivity, must be freed soon.

鈥淭he good news is that we have been told they are safe but we cannot rest satisfied until all are able to return to their homes and their families.鈥

News of the possible release of the girls came in a message sent by Mr Badeh to other service chiefs, asking them 鈥渢o comply with the ceasefire agreement between Nigeria and Boko Haram in all theatres of operations鈥.

, reporting听a close advisor to Nigerian President President Goodluck Jonathan and a man purporting to be the Secretary-General of Boko Haram confirming that negotiations have been taking place.

According to their source 鈥 whose identity cannot be verified 鈥 the girls are 鈥渋n good condition and unharmed鈥.

This tweet from BBC presenter Audrey Brown quotes Nigerian Ambassador Tukur as saying the girls may be released as early as next week:

that Mr Tukur said the agreement was sealed after a month of negotiations, mediated by Chad. Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a unilateral ceasefire yesterday and added: 鈥淭hey鈥檝e assured us they have the girls and they will release them. I am cautiously optimistic.鈥

The ceasefire has been reported by the Nigerian newspapers 听补苍诲听as well as the international news agency Reuters, which quotes an unamed source as saying the Nigerian government has agreed two truces with Boko Haram 鈥 one 鈥渁 ceasefire agreement and then the release of the abducted Chibok girls鈥.

as saying 鈥淎 ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Jama鈥檃tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda鈥檃wati wal-Jihad (Boko Haram).听 I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.鈥

However, it also strikes a note of caution, quoting one commentator, who has previously been involved in negotiations with Boko Haram, as saying he had 鈥渘ever heard of鈥 the man claiming to represent Boko Haram in the negotiations.

You can show your unity with the Chibok girls and call for safe schools for all children around the world by .