Africa

Nigeria negotiating with Boko Haram for more Chibok releases

Associated Press
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FILE- In this Monday, May 8, 2017 file photo, Chibok schoolgirls, recently freed from Nigeria extremist captivity, are photographed in Abuja, Nigeria. One of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014 and who had the opportunity to be released on Saturday chose to stay with her husband, the spokesman for Nigeria’s president said Tuesday, May 9. Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said officials originally had been negotiating for the release of 83 girls, but one said she wanted to remain. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, File ) (The Associated Press)

Chibok schoolgirls, recently freed from Nigeria extremist captivity, are photographed in Abuja, Nigeria, Monday May 8, 2017. Nigeria's presidency has released the names of the 82 Chibok schoolgirls newly freed from the Boko Haram extremists. The list was released late Sunday night after Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari met with the young women before leaving for London for medical checkups as fears for his health continue. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) (The Associated Press)

A Nigerian minister says the government is negotiating "seriously" for the release of the more than 110 kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls still held by Boko Haram extremists.

Minister of Women's Affairs and Social Development Aisha Alhassan told reporters on Thursday that "we will not relent until all are back."

She says Nigeria's government has no regrets about exchanging Boko Haram detainees for the 82 young women released over the weekend. The young women are in government care in the capital, Abuja.

Alhassan says they are undergoing medical screening for a couple of weeks and that some have needed surgery.

Families in Chibok are meeting with community leaders to identify photos of the newly freed schoolgirls to determine if they will travel to the capital to meet them.