195 Chibok Schoolgirls Still Missing 1,000 Days Later
ANDERSON: A happy homecoming: this was the scene when 21 Chibok girls and a baby were finally reunited with loved ones in time to celebrate Christmas and ring in the new year. The girls were freed after more than two years in Boko Haram captivity. Once freed, they stayed in Nigeria's capital Abuja for 10 weeks of government-sponsored care. Well, that the outcome the world had hoped to see, but now 1,000 days since they were abducted by the terror group almost 200 schoolgirls still remain missing. For more, CNN's Isha Sesay joining me now from Lagos in Nigeria. We've got good news and then, of course, we are reminded of the bad news as well. What do authorities know about these girls, these 200 girls who are still away from their families and kidnapped? Do they know anything about their whereabouts at this point?</s>ISHA SESAY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Becky. Well, to be precise 195 girls remain unaccounted for. And as to their exact whereabouts or what exactly has come about them, very few details have emerged which, you know, as we mark this grim milestone we must remember the parents, we must remember the loved ones of these missing girls who have endured such heartache for such a long time. On the part of the authorities, of course, they were able to negotiate the release of 21 girls, the ones you mentioned, that CNN traveled home with just before Christmas. So they have been in contact with Boko Haram. It led to the release of those two dozen -- or 21 girls, I should say, plus also worth pointing out to our viewers, that three other girls have also been reunited but not as part of those negotiations. Nonetheless, the government has made contact with Boko Haram, and our understanding is negotiations continue, Becky, but what state those talks are in nobody knows. There has been very little, if any, information from government authorities since the end of last year when those 21 girls were released. This is something that is deeply troubling to bring back our girls, the grass roots movement here in Nigeria has led for the global outcry for the return of these girls. In fact, Becky, I just want to show you something that they put out in a statement a short time ago in which they cited their concerns at the government, what they say complacency and lack of urgency when it comes to the issue of reuniting these girls with their families. And really when you look at the lack of information it is troubling, Becky.</s>ANDERSON: So, to confirm, the government saying they will be returned and reiterating the president, his resolve to ensure all of the girls are returned. But you're telling us very few details about where they are, who they are with and when their return might be facilitated, correct?</s>SESAY: Yeah, correct. I mean, listen, the girls are with Boko Haram. I mean, what has complicated matters in recent months has been this talk of an internal division within Boko Haram, a power struggle, if you will, and a breakdown into factions. B ut our understanding from sources is that the girls are indeed with the Boko Haram leader Abu Bakr Shekau. That is our understanding, that he is leading the negotiations. The long-held belief in all of this is that the girls were somewhere in Sambisa Forest there in the northeast, but nothing has been confirmed, and we just don't know whether this latest rounds of talks to release more girls is yielding any fruit, whether any progress is being made. You know, hopes are being expressed but for the families, Becky, for the families, for the lost ones, hope is not enough. They want to see their children. It's been 1,000 days.</s>ANDRESON: Isha Sesay in Lagos for you tonight, Isha, thank you for that. All right. Today's Parting Shots for you viewers and cold weather and lots of it. Well, we have certainly had some very chilly nights, it's got to be said here in Abu Dhabi lately. It doesn't even come close to the situation in Turkey right now. Look at these images, if you've ever been to Istanbul, you'd be forgiven for not recognizing Turkey's largest city seemingly at a standstill covered in snow with traffic chaos and flight cancellations, but a world away in China a very different scene. The city of Harbin (ph) celebrating the cold weather during its annual ice sculpture competition. 32 teams, 11 countries going head to head and creating some pretty stunning pieces along the way. That's it. I'm Becky Anderson. From the team, it's a very good evening. CNN, of course, continues after this short break. Don't go away. END