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Nigerians Urge Government to Negotiate With Boko Haram to Free Schoolgirls


Members of the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja campaign group attend a sit-in protest, a day ahead of the 80th day of the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls, at the Unity fountain in Abuja, Nigeria, July 2, 2014.
Members of the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja campaign group attend a sit-in protest, a day ahead of the 80th day of the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls, at the Unity fountain in Abuja, Nigeria, July 2, 2014.

Residents of the northern Nigerian village where Boko Haram abducted more than 200 schoolgirls are calling on the government to negotiate with the Islamist militant group to secure the girls' freedom.

Members of the Chibok community held a news conference Friday in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, during which they also called for greater security to protect Chibok and surrounding areas from Boko Haram.

Nigeria's military has come under growing criticism that it is not doing enough to stop Boko Haram attacks.

Nearly three months since the kidnapping, the girls are still missing, and there have been more attacks and abductions.

In total, Boko Haram has been blamed for thousands of deaths during its five-year insurgency to establish an Islamic state.


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