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21 Abducted Chibok Girls Released …18 Feared Pregnant …Buhari, BBOGs, Others Hail Military
The Presidency has confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents have released 21 of the more than 200 abducted Chibok Schoolgirls.
According to the Senior Special Adviser Media to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, the girls are now in the custody of the Directorate of State Services (DSS).
Shehu confirmed the release of the schoolgirls through his twitter handle, yesterday.
The release of the 21 girls coincides with President Muhammadu Buhari’s three-day trip to Germany.
More than 270 girls were abducted on 14th April, 2014 at the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.
The girls were writing their final exit examination when the insurgents broke into their hostel in the middle of the night and abducted the girls. Some of them escaped, leaving more than 219 with the insurgents.
The government had accepted to negotiate the release of the schoolgirls.
The abduction had provoked world’s outrage.
However, there are indications that majority of the 21 Chibok girls freed, yesterday, may be pregnant.
Reliable DSS sources said that though it was difficult to ascertain just by mere observation, officials at the Air Force hospital had hinted that many of the girls returned with pregnancy.
Even though their status cannot be immediately verified, the source estimated that, “at least, 18 of the 21 of are pregnant.”
The degraded Boko Haram group had, yesterday, dropped off 21 of the girls at the Banki area of the state and it was learnt that the girls were picked up by military helicopter.
The Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, had confirmed the release of the 21 girls, saying the release of the girls, in a limited number was the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram.
As at the time of filing this report, the released girls were currently on their way to Abuja by air from the Air Force base in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Reacting, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed delight over the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls by the Boko Haram sect.
The president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said this in his twitter handle.
He stated that the president, however, cautioned “Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism.’’
According to him, the release of the girls, in a limited number, is the outcome of negotiations between the Federal Government and the Boko Haram, brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss Government.
He said that the negotiations would continue.
He said the released girls would soon be handed over to Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo by the DSS.
More than 200 female students were kidnapped on April 14, 2014 from the Government Secondary School in Chibok town, Borno.
There were reports that 57 of the schoolgirls managed to escape over the next few months and some have described their capture in appearances at international human rights conferences.
Also, the Federal Government, yesterday, dismissed reports that it swapped four high profile Boko Haram prisoners to effect the release of 21 Chibok schoolgirls.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, during a news conference in Abuja.
A popular online platform, had yesterday, reported that the government swapped four high profile Boko Haram detained commanders for the release of the abducted Chibok school girls.
But Mohammed while dismissing the report said, “Please, note that this is not a swap, but a release.
“People want to believe bad news than good news. The girls were released, there was no swap.”ý
According to Mohammed, a team of medical doctors, social workers and psychologists have been assembled to examine the girls when they arrive in Abuja.
A statement by the Director-General of DSS, Malam Lawal Daura, had indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari had been briefed on the matter before his departure for Germany.
It said: “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.”
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.
Malam Lawal wants the girls to have some rest, with all of them very tired coming out of the process before he hands them over to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Following, yesterday’s release of 21 out of the 218 Chibok school girls abducted by the terrorist Boko Haram group in Nigeria, the former minister of education, and leading voice on the global #Bring Back Our Girls campaign (#BBOG), Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed gratitude to God and equally thanked both the President Muhammadu Buhari and the gallant Nigerian soldiers for seeing to the safe release of the girls.
Ezekwesili, who took to the social media to express her joy over the release of the girls, said her mood was that of weeping, a cry that is an admixture of multiple emotions.
Calling on all Nigerians and the world to join voices with the Psalmist’s song of 126 in thanking God, she said at 4am in California, she could not sleep again because of joy.
“I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions. Lord. Some of OUR Girls ARE BACK!!! B. A. C. K.!!” “As WE @BBOG_Nigeria wait for FG and #ChibokParents identification of OUR 21 #ChibokGirls, Thank You, Lord. Thank You, @MBuhari .Thank you.
“It is 4am in California and I can no longer sleep. Join me in singing the words of Psalm126… When the Lord turned again the Captivity…”
She also said it was a thing of joy that the number of the abducted girls has now reduced from 218 to 197.
The released girls were among the 219 students stolen from their dormitory bed in Chibok community, Borno State on April 14, 2014.
The Chibok girls were exchanged for four Boko Haram prisoners in Banki, an official of the Ministry of Information said.
The girls were exchanged for four Boko Haram prisoners in Banki, North-East Nigeria, said a local source.
A government official said the ‘insurgents released the 21 Chibok girls to the Nigerian government’.
Other sources revealed that the Chibok girls were rescued in Banki area of Borno State where Boko Haram militants had left them, yesterday by military helicopter.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.