Suspected Boko Haram militants have killed dozens of people in five attacks on Nigerian villages that occurred after the government announced a cease-fire to enable 200 abducted girls to be freed, security sources and witnesses said on Saturday.
However, the government cast doubt on whether the attacks really were Boko Haram or one of several criminal groups that are exploiting the chaos of the insurgency. A spokesman said talks to free the girls would continue in Chad on Monday.
The fresh attacks dashed hopes for an easing of the northeast’s violence, although officials remained confident they can negotiate the release of girls whose abduction by the rebels in the remote northeastern town of Chibok in April caused international shock and outrage.
A presidency and another government source said they were aiming to do this by Tuesday.
Nigeria’s armed forces chief Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh announced the cease-fire on Friday. On Saturday, two senior government sources said it aims to secure the girls’ release
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