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More than 100 kidnapped Nigerian girls to return to families

BOKO HARAM GIRLS KIDNAPPING
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Zelda Caldwell - published on 08/18/17
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After months of rehabilitation, girls are reportedly “fully recovered” Months after their release by their Boko Haram kidnappers, more than 100 girls abducted from the Nigerian village of Chibok are ready to return to their families, according to a Reuters report.

Of the 270 girls captured by the Islamist militant group, 24 were freed last year, and 82 were released after negotiations in May. Since then, the girls have been receiving psychological and medical care in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

“All the 106 girls are now fully recovered, ready for reintegration with their families and the larger society, and to go back to school,” Aisha Jummai Alhassan, minister of women affairs, told a news conference, Reuters reported.

“They are now stabilized and most of their traumatic stress disorder symptoms have been overcome and previously frequent incidents of flashbacks, insomnia and nightmares have now been successfully brought under control,” she said.

About 100 girls are still being held captive by Boko Haram, and negotiations are currently underway to secure their release, the government reported.

Since May of 2013, Boko Haram militants have caused the displacement of 2.3 million people, according to UNICEF. In addition to the Chibok school girls, thousands of children have been kidnapped and subjected to exploitation and abuse. Many have been recruited to armed groups and are thought to have been used in suicide bombings.  

 

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