Three Catholic leaders welcomed the release of 21 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram, and urged the Nigerian government to prioritise the release of the remaining girls.
276 girls were kidnapped from a Chibok secondary school in April 2014; 57 escaped the same day and one two years later. The release of 21 girls on 13 October was part of a deal brokered by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss and Nigerian governments.
Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okogie, retired archbishop of Lagos, said he had mixed feelings when he heard the news, because of the lengthy delay before their release and concerns about the girls’ welfare during their detainment.
