Release of Dapchi girls: Buhari's message to Chibok parents

Following the release of 109 of the 110 abducted female students of Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi in Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message of hope to the parents of the Chibok girls still being held captive by Boko Haram.

“While parents of the Dapchi girls rejoice because of the reunion with their children, I want to appeal to the Chibok Community never to lose hope or to despair. We are determined as never before, to bring back our remaining Chibok daughters," he said in a post on Twitter.

Polio, Malnutrition: President Buhari hosts Bill Gates (photo)

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night hosted Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote to dinner at the State House, Abuja.

Gates foundation and Dangote Foundation are joint partners with the Federal Government in the fight against polio and malnutrition.

Photo: Bayo Omoboriowo.

No ransom paid for release of Dapchi girls - Minister

The Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed has denied media reports that ransom was paid to terrorist group, Boko Haram for Wednesday's release of the kidnapped Dapchi school girls.

Briefing journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday , Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that all the 106 persons were freed unconditionally, contrary to reports in a section of the media that ransom was paid and some insurgents swapped for the release of the abducted persons.

“It is not true that we paid ransom for the release of the Dapchi girls, neither was there a prisoner swap to secure their release,” he said.

“What happened was that the abduction itself was a breach of the ceasefire talks between the insurgents and the Government, hence it became a moral burden on the abductors. Any report that we paid ransom or engaged in prisoner swap is false.”