More Chibok schoolgirls to regain freedom soon: Nigerian minister

Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, on Sunday expressed optimism that more schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist would be released soon.

Eighty-two schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist group were released in exchange for the freedom of some Boko Haram suspects on Saturday.

Speaking at a forum in the southwestern city of Ibadan, the minister said more of the girls held hostage by the insurgents would be set free as government was adopting the same method used in brokering the earlier releases.

He said the current administration was averse to propaganda, adding that it was diligently working hard to put the country on the path of growth and development.

"Electricity has improved, price of petroleum products has stabilized, corruption has reduced to the barest minimum, Boko Haram is no longer in control of territories and the Niger Delta issue has been resolved," Shittu told his audience.

Meanwhile, the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG) has applauded the government and security agencies on the release of the 82 Chibok girls.

The commendation came in a statement signed by the Convener of the group and former minister, Oby Ezekwesili on Sunday in Abuja, the nation's capital.

She said the efforts that led to the freedom of the girls were through the combined efforts of security agencies, the military, the government of Switzerland, the Red Cross, local and international NGOs.

She said the group members were delighted by the good news which followed the release of 21 girls in October 2016.

"We commend Mr President, the Federal Government and all the other partners for this heartwarming development," she said.

"We are also glad that the statement from the Presidency makes a strong commitment to rescuing the remaining 113 of our Chibok girls that are still captives of terrorists," Ezekwesili added. Endit