Nigeria kidnapped schoolgirls: Boko Haram 'prepared to begin release of up to half of the girls'

According to the UK Telegraph, Boko Haram has
dropped demands for the release of top commanders in
talks with the Nigerian government and is prepared to
start releasing up to half its kidnapped schoolgirls in
coming days, sources close to the group have said.
The militant Islamist group, which kidnapped more than
200 schoolgirls a month ago, is willing to conduct a
"gradual" release of its hostages in return for the
release of Boko Haram prisoners in Nigerian jails, it
was claimed.
In a significant concession, the group has abandoned
demands for its top commanders to be released,
seemingly aware that this would be politically
impossible for the Nigerian government.
The Telegraph first reported details of Boko Haram's
offer of an imminent prisoner exchange last Tuesday,
when sources close to to some of the militants'
families said that a senior Islamic cleric from northern
Nigeria would be appointed to mediate on its behalf
with the government.
The cleric has since been joined by a former aide to
one of the group's founders. Neither man has been
named, possibly for their own safety. While the Nigerian
government has insisted that it is not willing to enter
prisoner swap negotiations, the source claimed that
dialogue had already been going in secret for several
days.
"Contrary to the public rejection of any swap deal
by the Nigerian government, there are some on-
the-ground talks taking place," the source said.
"An agreement was reached about two or three
days ago in principle to start releasing some
prisoners."
He said that among the prisoners that the group
wanted released would be wives and families of Boko
Haram fighters, some of whom have been taken into
custody by the Nigerian government in order to exert
emotional pressure on the fighters themselves.
"The group also has a list of lower-level fighters
that it wants released as well, but they are not
high-profile ones," the source added.
He said that in exchange, Boko Haram was willing to
start a "gradual" release of around 100 of the girls
possibly beginning as early as the coming the week.
"Depending on how the other side responds, the
girls will be released in small groups. They will be
left at a certain safe location, and the authorities
will then be told as to where they can pick them
up from."
Details of the offer emerged as officials investigated
reports that Boko Haram was responsible for the
kidnapping of up to 10 Chinese workers in neighbouring
Cameroon, where the group now also has a presence.