Violence jeopardises release of girls

A wave of violence hours after Nigeria’s government announced a truce with Boko Haram raised doubts yesterday about whether more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist militants will be released, deflating the hopes of their parents.

Nigeria’s armed forces chief Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh announced the ceasefire on Friday to enable the release of the girls, who were abducted from the remote north-eastern village of Chibok in April.

However, Boko Haram has not confirmed the truce and there have been at least five attacks since — blamed by security sources on the insurgents — that have killed dozens of people. Talks were scheduled to continue in neighbouring Chad today.