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Africa

Nigerian parents eager to see 21 girls freed by Boko Haram

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Abana Muta, left, and Hawa Abana, right, parents of Blessing Abana, one among of the freed twenty-one Chibok schoolgirls smiles during an interview in Nasarawa, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. Conflicting reports emerged Friday about whether the first negotiated release of some Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014 involved a ransom payment, a prisoner swap for Islamic extremist commanders, or both. ( AP Photo/Gbemiga Olamikan) (The Associated Press)

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    Hawa Abana, mother of Blessing Abana, one among of the freed twenty-one Chibok schoolgirls smiles during an interview in Nasarawa, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. Conflicting reports emerged Friday about whether the first negotiated release of some Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014 involved a ransom payment, a prisoner swap for Islamic extremist commanders, or both. ( AP Photo/Gbemiga Olamikan) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 3 of 3

    Abana Muta, left, and Hawa Abana, right, parents of Blessing Abana, one among of the freed twenty-one Chibok schoolgirls during an interview Nasarawa, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. Conflicting reports emerged Friday about whether the first negotiated release of some Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014 involved a ransom payment, a prisoner swap for Islamic extremist commanders, or both. ( AP Photo/Gbemiga Olamikan) (The Associated Press)

ABUJA, Nigeria – A group of Nigerian parents are excitedly waiting to be reunited with 21 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram 2 ½ years ago and freed in the first negotiated release organized by Nigeria's government and the Islamic extremist group.

The girls were freed Thursday and flown to Abuja, Nigeria's capital, but it's taken days for the parents to arrive. Community leader Tsambido Hosea Abana says most arrived Sunday morning after driving 15 hours over potholed roads slowed by military checkpoints and the danger of attacks by the insurgents.

The parents came from around the remote northeastern town of Chibok, from which nearly 300 girls were kidnapped in an April 2014 mass abduction that shocked the world. Dozens escaped early on but 197 remain captive. The government says negotiations continue to win their freedom.