Freed Dapchi schoolgirls return home, reunite with parents

The 105 Dapchi schoolgirls who recently regained their freedom have been reunited with their parents.

The girls were transported via a military airplane on Sunday morning to Damaturu, from where they travelled to Dapchi.

They were handed over to their parents at the assembly hall of Government Secondary School, Dapchi, in Bursari local government area of Yobe.

The girls, 110 in total, were abducted from the school in February but were returned by the insurgent group on Wednesday.

They were accompanied to Dapchi by top government officials and representatives of their parents.

While five of them were reported to have died, Leah Sharibu, the only Christian among them, was held back by Boko Haram for refusing to denounce her religion and wear the hijab.

On Saturday, there were reports that some members of the insurgent group were on their way to Dapchi to return Sharibu.