Boko Haram 'ready to negotiate release of 83 more Chibok girls'

The Islamic State-allied faction of Boko Haram has reportedly expressed its willingness to negotiate the release of 83 more Chibok girls after freeing 21 of the more than 200 abductees last week.

According to SABC, Presidential Spokesperson Garba Shehu disclosed the development, adding that the Nigerian government was willing to broker a deal with the group.

The Islamist sect was alleged to have split into two factions after Abu Musab al-Barnawi was named leader of the sect by the Islamist State, sparking a backlash from long-time leader Abubakar Shekau.