http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/world/africa/boko-haram-nigeria.html 2016-10-13 14:17:48 Boko Haram Releases 21 Girls Kidnapped From School in Chibok, Nigeria Says Officials revealed last month that they had been negotiating with the Islamist militant group to gain the release of girls taken in April 2014. === LAGOS, Nigeria — Two and a half years after nearly 300 girls were The news was announced by “The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram, brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government,” Mr. Shehu said on Twitter. “The negotiations will continue. The president welcomes the release of the girls but cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.” Mr. Shehu said the names of the released girls would be made public shortly and that Lawal Daura, the director general of the State Security Service, had briefed the president before his departure for Germany for an official visit. Nigerian officials revealed last month that they had been negotiating with the Islamist militant group to gain the release of the girls The talks began shortly after Mr. Buhari took office in November. The negotiations were derailed three times, and were complicated by divisions inside Boko Haram. In one instance, negotiations broke down at the last minute, even after the president agreed to free imprisoned Boko Haram fighters, according to a The abductions, during exam time at their boarding school, shocked the world and Some girls The girls are thought to be held by a faction controlled by the Boko Haram leader The latter faction split from Mr. Shekau’s group after an ideological dispute over killings that targeted Muslims. Western intelligence officials have said recently they believe the girls are scattered in small groups, making their rescue all the more difficult. Mr. Buhari has been criticized by relatives of the girls, among other critics, and he has also been faulted for failing to free the captives despite an offensive against Boko Haram that has killed numerous militants and forced others into hiding. The government’s decision to describe the attempts to rescue the girls appeared to be intended to quell criticism of its efforts on their behalf. Mr. Buhari had recently said he would be open to calling on nongovernmental organizations as intermediaries in negotiating with Boko Haram. Western intelligence officials suspect the government may have been negotiating with impostors.