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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.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene