Source: telegraph.co.uk
Nigeria kidnapped schoolgirls: Boko Haram ‘prepared to begin release of up to half of the girls’
Exclusive: Boko Haram abandons demands for its top commanders to be released in negotiations with the Nigerian government that could see “gradual” release of schoolgirls as early as next week, sources tell Telegraph.
Boko Haram has dropped demands for the release of top commanders in talks with the Nigerian government and is prepared to start releasing up to half its kidnapped schoolgirls in coming days, sources close to the group have said.
The militant Islamist group, which kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls a month ago, is willing to conduct a “gradual” release of its hostages in return for the release of Boko Haram prisoners in Nigerian jails, it was claimed.

Goodluck Jonathan, left, and Francois Hollande speak to the press following the summit on Boko Haram (AFP/GETTY)
In a significant concession, the group has abandoned demands for its top commanders to be released, seemingly aware that this would be politically impossible for the telegraph.co.uk