By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
A Nigerian army spokesman has described reports about the release of scores of schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram militants as "not true".
"Not true, not true, not true," spokesman Chris Olukolade told Anadolu Agency by phone on Tuesday.
He repeated the same answer in another text message by AA asking him to again clarify the report, which has gone viral on some local and foreign media.
"Not true," he replied.
Boko Haram militants abducted nearly 200 schoolgirls on April 14 from Chibok, a town in northeastern Borno state which is in the throes of insurgent attacks.
The abduction had sparked international outrage, culminating in foreign governments offering assistance as Nigeria intensified search for the hostages.
The search continues as the girls remain under Boko Haram captivity.
Boko Haram kingpin Abubakar Shekau had in recent videos confirmed that the girls had been seized by his men. He offered to release them provided Abuja would exchange them for some of his top operatives in prison, a term rejected by the authorities.
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