Red Cross denies participating in negotiations for girls’ release

monjola sotubo

October 13, 2016 1:09 PM

Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in confirming the release, said it was brokered by the Red Cross and the Swiss government.

The kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok in April 2014 provoked global outrage and brought unprecedented attention to Boko Haram

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has denied reports that it participated in negotiations for the release of the abducted Chibok girls.

Terrorist sect, Boko Haram has released 21 of the girlsand presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in confirming the release, said it was brokered by the Red Cross and the Swiss government.

“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. The negotiations will continue,” Shehu said via Twitter on Thursday, October 13.

However, the spokeswoman of the ICRC told NBC News reporter, Alexander Smith, that the organization wasn’t part of the arrangement.

“Spokeswoman for the @ICRC tells me it was not part of negotiations to free the 21 Chibok girls, contradicting the Nigerian government,” Smith said via Twitter.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the 21 girls might have been released in exchange for the freedom of 4 Boko Haram prisoners.

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Boko Haram had, in August, demanded that the government free of some of its members in exchange for the girls’ release.

monjola sotubo