Nigerian President Rejects Boko Haram 'Prisoner Exchange Deal' for Return of Kidnapped Schoolgirls

Nigeria's president has said he will not negotiate a swap of Boko Haram prisoners in exchange for the schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist group.

Boko Haram admitted to abducting more than 250 girls from a hostel in Chibok. In a video in which the girls were seen wearing full-length hijabs, the militant leader Abubakar Shekau said the girls would be returned in exchange for the release of imprisoned Boko Haram members, by the Nigerian government.

He added that if the demands were not met, the girls would be sold in the market place "as willed by Allah."

Following a public outcry, the UK, US, France and China have sent out teams of intelligence officers to locate the children.

Britain's minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds personally met with the Nigerian leader, Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja to discuss the matter.

"He made it very clear that there would be no negotiations with Boko Haram that involved a swap of abducted schoolgirls for prisoners," explained Mr Simmonds.

The news emerged as Sky News revealed a British-born Boko Haram suspect, named as Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, has been arrested in Sudan.

The British-born Nigerian reportedly served in the Nigerian army from 2001-2006 before he is said to have deserted.

He was wanted in relation to two bombings in Nigeria, including one on April 14,- the same night as the kidnapping of the schoolgirls in the north.

It's believed the bombing in the market was intended to create a diversion as the mass kidnappings were taking place.

Boko Haram, which opposes the westernisation of Nigeria and endeavours to impose sharia law in the country, kidnapped almost 300 girls on 14 April.

50 of them managed to escape, but some 220 are still missing.

Prominent political figures as well as celebrities,have joined the Twitter campaigns #BringBackOurDaughters and #BringBackOurGirls attracting thousands of followers every day.