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| Nigeria and Boko Haram 'agree ceasefire and girls' release' | Nigeria and Boko Haram 'agree ceasefire and girls' release' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Nigeria's military says it has agreed a ceasefire with Islamist militants Boko Haram - and that the schoolgirls the group has abducted will be released. | Nigeria's military says it has agreed a ceasefire with Islamist militants Boko Haram - and that the schoolgirls the group has abducted will be released. |
| Nigeria's chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announced the truce. Boko Haram has not made a public statement. | Nigeria's chief of defence staff, Alex Badeh, announced the truce. Boko Haram has not made a public statement. |
| The group has been fighting an insurgency since 2009, with some 2,000 civilians reportedly killed this year. | The group has been fighting an insurgency since 2009, with some 2,000 civilians reportedly killed this year. |
| Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago by abducting more than 200 schoolgirls. | Boko Haram sparked global outrage six months ago by abducting more than 200 schoolgirls. |
| The girls were seized in the north-eastern town of Chibok in Borno state, and their continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government's efforts to secure their release. | The girls were seized in the north-eastern town of Chibok in Borno state, and their continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government's efforts to secure their release. |
| Members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign said in a tweet on Friday: "We are monitoring the news with huge expectations." | Members of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign said in a tweet on Friday: "We are monitoring the news with huge expectations." |
| 'Cautiously optimistic' | 'Cautiously optimistic' |
| Air Chief Marshal Badeh revealed the truce at the close of a three-day security meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon. He said Nigerian soldiers would comply with the agreement. | Air Chief Marshal Badeh revealed the truce at the close of a three-day security meeting between Nigeria and Cameroon. He said Nigerian soldiers would comply with the agreement. |
| Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told BBC Focus on Africa that the agreement was sealed after a month of negotiations, mediated by Chad. | Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur told BBC Focus on Africa that the agreement was sealed after a month of negotiations, mediated by Chad. |
| As part of the talks, a government delegation twice met representatives of the Islamist group. | As part of the talks, a government delegation twice met representatives of the Islamist group. |
| Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded. | Mr Tukur said Boko Haram had announced a unilateral ceasefire on Thursday and the government had responded. |
| "They've assured us they have the girls and they will release them," he said. "I am cautiously optimistic." | |
| He said arrangements for their release would be finalised at another meeting next week in Chad's capital, Ndjamena. | He said arrangements for their release would be finalised at another meeting next week in Chad's capital, Ndjamena. |
| The negotiations are said to have the blessing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, reports the BBC's Chris Ewokor in Abuja. | The negotiations are said to have the blessing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, reports the BBC's Chris Ewokor in Abuja. |
| Speaking to the BBC, Nigerian government spokesman Mike Omeri said Boko Haram would not be given territory under the ceasefire agreement - and that the government would not reveal what concessions it would make. | Speaking to the BBC, Nigerian government spokesman Mike Omeri said Boko Haram would not be given territory under the ceasefire agreement - and that the government would not reveal what concessions it would make. |
| "We are inching closer to release of all groups in captivity, including the Chibok girls," he said. | "We are inching closer to release of all groups in captivity, including the Chibok girls," he said. |
| Analysis: Will Ross, BBC News, Lagos | Analysis: Will Ross, BBC News, Lagos |
| Nigerian officials had not given any indication that negotiations with Boko Haram were taking place. Even though there had been rumours of talks in neighbouring Chad, this is a very surprising development. | Nigerian officials had not given any indication that negotiations with Boko Haram were taking place. Even though there had been rumours of talks in neighbouring Chad, this is a very surprising development. |
| If this turns out to be true it will be some of the best news Nigerians have heard for decades. | |
| Many Nigerians are extremely sceptical about the announcement, especially as there has been no definitive word from the jihadists. | |
| Some question whether the announcement was in any way timed to coincide with the imminent announcement that President Goodluck Jonathan is going to run for re-election. | |
| The military has in the past released statements about the conflict in north-east Nigeria that have turned out to be completely at odds with the situation on the ground. | The military has in the past released statements about the conflict in north-east Nigeria that have turned out to be completely at odds with the situation on the ground. |
| So many here will only celebrate when the violence stops and the hostages are free. | So many here will only celebrate when the violence stops and the hostages are free. |
| In May 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, vowing to crush the Islamist insurgency. | In May 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in the northern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, vowing to crush the Islamist insurgency. |
| But Boko Haram increased its attacks this year. | But Boko Haram increased its attacks this year. |
| The group promotes a version of Islam which makes it "haram", or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society. | The group promotes a version of Islam which makes it "haram", or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society. |
| It frequently attacks schools and colleges, which it sees as a symbol of Western culture. | It frequently attacks schools and colleges, which it sees as a symbol of Western culture. |
| Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |
| Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |
| Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau | Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau |
| Human Rights Watch has reported that 2,053 civilian were killed in the first half of the year, while Amnesty International estimated that 4,000 people were killed in violence - including Nigerian military operations - in the first seven months of 2014. | Human Rights Watch has reported that 2,053 civilian were killed in the first half of the year, while Amnesty International estimated that 4,000 people were killed in violence - including Nigerian military operations - in the first seven months of 2014. |
| Boko Haram is seeking to establish an Islamist state in Nigeria, but its fighters often cross the long and porous border with Cameroon. | Boko Haram is seeking to establish an Islamist state in Nigeria, but its fighters often cross the long and porous border with Cameroon. |
| Eight Cameroon soldiers and more than 100 Boko Haram militants were killed in fighting in the far north of Cameroon on Friday, Reuters quoted the country's defence ministry as saying. | Eight Cameroon soldiers and more than 100 Boko Haram militants were killed in fighting in the far north of Cameroon on Friday, Reuters quoted the country's defence ministry as saying. |
| In July, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed to form a 2,800-strong regional force to tackle Boko Haram militants. | In July, Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger agreed to form a 2,800-strong regional force to tackle Boko Haram militants. |