Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has ordered the mass production of copies of the video released yesterday by Boko Haram showing upwards of 136 of the over 200 girls abducted April 14 from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok. The video shows the girls dressed in Muslim hijab and praising Allah, with Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau declaring that they have been converted to Muslims.

A press statement issued late yesterday in Maiduguri and signed by Isa Umar Gusau, Special Adviser on Communication to Governor Kashim Shettima, said:

“Shettima has directed transfer of the video into mobile storage devices under the care of some officials, including the chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, who has been given an immediate task of showing the videos to parents, some of the freed students who know their abducted colleagues, teachers and management staff of Government Secondary School, Chibok, so that the girls in the video can be identified to ascertain if they are part of the abducted students or otherwise.

“He is, however, optimistic about the video. Already, some concerned individuals in Maiduguri and Abuja on the request of the Governor, are making efforts to contact parents and relations of some of the abducted girls, who might be within reach to get feedback regarding the video.

“Governor Shettima views the development as encouraging especially given the fact that some of the girls said they were not harmed. The Governor hopes that the girls did not speak under duress.

“While awaiting the confirmation, Governor Shettima calls on citizens of Borno State, most of whom commenced another round of fasting today, to seek divine help, in response to appeal by the Governor, to intensify prayers for the safe release of the schoolgirls who are very precious not only to Borno but to the entire world.

•Photo shows a scene from the Boko Haram video showing the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.