Boko Haram returns 76 abducted Nigerian girls

LAGOS: Boko Haram Islamists who kidnapped 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, northeast Nigeria, just over a month ago have returned 76 of the students to the town, the government said on Wednesday. Information minister Lai Mohammed said the release was “unconditional” and the result of “back-channel efforts” with the help of “some friends of the country”, without elaborating. President Muhammadu Buhari said last week the government chose “negotiation” to secure the return of the girls rather than use military force.