Nigerian Schoolgirls Kidnapped by Boko Haram Rejoin Families

Nigerian Schoolgirls Kidnapped by Boko Haram Rejoin Families
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSMAY 20, 2017
ABUJA, Nigeria — Eighty-two Nigerian schoolgirls released several weeks ago after more than three years in Boko Haram captivity were reunited with
their families on Saturday, as anxious parents looked for signs of how deeply their daughters might have changed in the hands of the extremists.
Five Boko Haram commanders were exchanged for the girls’ freedom,
and Nigeria’s government has said it would make further exchanges to bring the 113 remaining schoolgirls home.
"I am very happy and I thank God." The families were reunited in the capital, Abuja, where
the girls were taken by Nigerian authorities after their release early this month.
Godiya Joshua said that I am really happy today — I am Christmas and New Year,
Both groups of freed girls have been in government care in the capital as part of a nine-month reintegration program
that President Muhammadu Buhari has said he will oversee personally.
Nigeria’s government has acknowledged negotiating with Boko Haram for their release, with mediation
help from the Swiss government and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The release of the 82 schoolgirls this month followed the release of 21 other girls in October.