BREAKING NEWS: 21 Chibok girls released by Boko Haram.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Shehu Garuba has reported that 21 of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants have been freed.

It is understood the girls are being held by the security services in the north-eastern city of Maiduguri.

Mallam Garba tweeted that "The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram, brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue"

"The President welcomes the release of the girls but cautioned Nigerians to be mindful of the fact that more than 30,000 fellow citizens were killed via terrorism" he aded.

The Islamist militant group kidnapped more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok in April 2014.

Until now only one girl had been rescued.

A vigilante group found Amina Ali Nkeki in May with her suspected militant husband and her new baby.

...brokered by the International Red Cross and the Swiss government. The negotiations will continue.

— Mallam Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) October 13, 2016

The release of the girls, in a limited number is the outcome of negotiations between the administration and the Boko Haram...

— Mallam Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) October 13, 2016