The 219 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Islamist militant group Boko Haram six months ago may be released in a week or two, although the ceasefire with the group remains indefinite.
The schoolgirls were abducted by the terrorist group in the north-eastern Nigerian Village of Chibok in April. The act of terrorism solicited international empathy and brought about campaigns like "Bring Back Our Girls." Sources say that the girls are being held captive in camps scattered around an area which neither the Nigerian or Chad government can reach.
Mike Omeri, Nigeria's National information Center coordinator, stated that negotiations are ongoing, but according to a report by the Guardian, no definite date was dropped.
Omeri said, "It could be next week or the week after."
Omeri added that they are inching closer to securing the safety of the abducted girls. He also mentioned conducting further meetings next week, but repeatedly said that nothing is conclusive although talks about a ceasefire with the militant group are ongoing.
There are some discussions about what would happen to those who will choose to drop their weapons and surrender. A number of militants, who have not become believers of the Boko Haram's way of thinking, are hoping for a new start in life. With this, the Nigerian government has agreed Friday to a ceasefire with the terrorist group linked to the notorious Al-Qaeda. If this ongoing deal will proceed, the 5-year battle of the militant group in creating an Islamic state on Africa's most populous country will finally be concluded. But many fear that despite this positive news about the ceasefire, Boko Haram has not confirmed anything close to a truce. A number of attacks emerged since the peace talks, suggesting otherwise.
One official for Cameroon's far north security force remains optimistic, saying, "Just recently we had around 20 Boko Haram men coming here looking very ragged, very dirty."
Most of these men lost their leaders and no longer desire to fight but are afraid of returning to their communities.
