82 Chibok schoolgirls undergoing medical screening: minister

Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan Thursday said 82 Chibok schoolgirls released recently were undergoing medical screening to facilitate their quick reintegration into the society.

Alhassan, who said this at a news conference in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, said the girls would afterwards go for psycho-social therapy and refresher courses.

She said pictures of the 82 girls had been sent for their parents to confirm their identification as some have similar names.

"It is not true that we are not allowing the parents to see their children; we allow them access but not everyday," she told reporters.

According to her, most of the girls prefer to be within the government facility because they don't want to be reminded of their experiences having to go to their community.

"Those saying we are not allowing them access are not the direct parents of the girls; we cannot bring anybody to see them apart from their biological parents, allowing visitors everyday will not allow them to heal fast," the minister added.

She also renewed the government's resolve to negotiate for the release of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls and other captives.

Alhassan said there was need to help the girls forget the trauma they experienced from the bush.

She said all the girls would resume the new academic session in September, including the recently released 82 Chibok girls, adding that they will undergo skill acquisition. Endit