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Nigeria says Boko Haram negotiations are 'ongoing' | Nigeria says Boko Haram negotiations are 'ongoing' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Nigeria says it is still holding talks with Boko Haram, two weeks after the government said it had agreed a truce with the Islamist militant group. | Nigeria says it is still holding talks with Boko Haram, two weeks after the government said it had agreed a truce with the Islamist militant group. |
A presidential spokesman said he was optimistic that something "concrete and positive" would come out of the talks. | A presidential spokesman said he was optimistic that something "concrete and positive" would come out of the talks. |
There has been no comment from Boko Haram, and violence in northern Nigeria has continued. | There has been no comment from Boko Haram, and violence in northern Nigeria has continued. |
More than 200 schoolgirls are still being held by the group, which has been fighting an insurgency since 2009. | More than 200 schoolgirls are still being held by the group, which has been fighting an insurgency since 2009. |
The military had said they were expecting the schoolgirls' release by 24 October. | |
At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by Boko Haram this year. | At least 2,000 civilians have been killed by Boko Haram this year. |
The group has taken more than 500 women and girls hostage since it began its insurgency in 2009, according to Human Rights Watch. | |
'No timeframe' | |
At least one girl who was abducted by Boko Haram about a week ago has been freed, reports the BBC's Abdullahi Kaura Abubakar from Nigeria. | |
The circumstances surrounding her release are unclear. | |
Contrary to an earlier report, she was not among the more than 200 schoolgirls who had been abducted in April from their boarding school in Chibok, Borno state. | |
That abduction sparked global outrage, and the schoolgirls' continued captivity has led to criticism of the Nigerian government's efforts to secure their release. | |
Nigerian presidential spokesman Reuben Abati told the BBC that the governments of Cameroon and Chad were involved with the latest negotiations. | |
Their involvement is viewed as significant because Boko Haram frequently move across borders. | Their involvement is viewed as significant because Boko Haram frequently move across borders. |
Mr Abati added that it was "difficult to put a time frame" to the negotiations. | Mr Abati added that it was "difficult to put a time frame" to the negotiations. |
'Unusual situation' | 'Unusual situation' |
Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur had previously told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that the arrangements for release of the schoolgirls would be finalised at a meeting this week in Chad's capital, Ndjamena. | Nigerian presidential aide Hassan Tukur had previously told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that the arrangements for release of the schoolgirls would be finalised at a meeting this week in Chad's capital, Ndjamena. |
Many Nigerians do not believe the government's claims of a ceasefire with Boko Haram. | Many Nigerians do not believe the government's claims of a ceasefire with Boko Haram. |
Mr Abati responded to criticism of the military by saying: "We must realise that what the Nigerian military is facing is an unusual situation." | Mr Abati responded to criticism of the military by saying: "We must realise that what the Nigerian military is facing is an unusual situation." |
"I think that what the Nigerian military deserves and requires at all times is encouragement." | "I think that what the Nigerian military deserves and requires at all times is encouragement." |
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. |